SALISBURY — Salisbury has a new tax collector, but it’s a familiar face.
JoAnne Dodge, who has served as the town’s assistant tax collector since 2019, was appointed by the Board of Selectmen on June 25. She took over the reins from the recently retired Jean Bell.
About a month after taking over as tax collector, Dodge said the transition has been smooth. Her transition comes after a two-year process that included taking required classes and passing a state test. Dodge officially became a certified tax collector in 2023.
Dodge also worked as an assessor’s assistant in Salisbury, Falls Village and Cornwall before the Salisbury tax collector’s job opened up.
“I had to learn it from a different side,” she said of the differences in the related jobs. A tax assessor determines the value of a property while a tax collector receives and manages the payments.
She said the job has its challenges.
“You’re dealing with a lot of money,” she said. “You have to be accurate.”
As if on cue, a resident came into the tax collector’s office with a check.
She said she enjoys working in a town hall.
“You learn a lot about the towns from a ‘Town Hall’ perspective.”
Dodge lives in Falls Village with her husband Jeffrey. They have three grown children.
