STRONG — Selectmen have been challenged to develop cost-effective methods to assess real estate and personal property equitably.

Selectmen act as assessors of both real and personal property valuation, and taxes pay to plow and repair roads, fight fires, light the streets, pay employees’ salaries and keep the library open. Taxpayers also send a large part of taxes to support Franklin County and Regional School Unit 58.

Selectmen invited Robert Worthley, their assessors’ agent, to discuss ways to collect business equipment taxes from people who don’t pay them.

“What do we do about making this more fair and consistent for all?” Selectman Mike Pond said.

Worthley offered Pond a simple solution.

“Go find them, I guess,” he said.

State law mandates that Strong collect taxes but does not indicate a way to do the job. Some home businesses, including mechanics, carpenters, landscaping and seasonal operations, may not be paying any taxes at all, Selectman Milt Baston said. Heavy equipment operators are easier to spot, because their equipment is hard to hide, but the goal is not to go after those who sell birdhouses to supplement their retirement income, either, he said.

“This is sort of on the honor system,” Board of Selectmen Chairman Jim Burrill said.

Worthley agreed the system could be more efficient. He has been the assessors’ agent for 20 years and estimated the town has paid him an average of $100 per week or about $20 an hour. A full-time assessor, he said, could ask at least that much per day.

He suggested selectmen could do more of the work, pay him more or hire another qualified individual to expand the assessing duties. He also said they should be prepared for some “serious backlash” if they start assessing everyone.

Pond said he and Selectman Joan Reed, who did not attend the meeting, have developed a partial list of individuals and businesses that could be approached.

“I can’t mention any names,” Pond said. “There are some businesses that have a fair amount equipment.”

Worthley suggested another problem was the lack of an enforceable requirement that property owners complete a building permit. Some of the taxable real estate information comes to him after construction is completed.

Selectmen are ultimately responsible for getting information to him, Burrill said.

The foreclosure market has met the demand for additional housing in town, Worthley said, so he knows of very little new construction. Many houses are for sale and have been on the market for lower prices than they have been assessed.

“There’s little reason to move here with no jobs,” he said.