PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The PROBUS Club of Aroostook met Thursday, Aug. 17, at Northern Maine Community College’s Reed Commons with a total of 19 members.
President Thomas Lunn led the meeting and introduced guest speaker Michael D. MacPherson.
McPherson’s education consists of becoming a certified Maine assessor, along with receiving his master of business administration degree from the University of Maine at Orono and a bachelor of science in electrical engineering.
From 1973-77 he attended the U.S. Army Signal School in Fort Gordon, Ga. He has been employed with CSP LLC, Just Value Associates, PLLC, Future Security Inc., Maine Communications Sales Inc., Aroostook Tower Inc., Aroostook Paging Inc. and Aroostook Communications Inc. He also served as resource coordinator for Maine 211 with the United Way of Aroostook.
He has been involved with the community through work at the city of Presque Isle, as well as service in the Rotary Club, United Way, Nordic Heritage Club, Northern Maine Fair Association, Aroostook Trust and Grant Memorial United Methodist Church, to name a few.
MacPherson told the group property valuation involves performing field work and updating property cards, existing land and buildings, factoring values and equalizing the tax burden and how it relates to ability to pay. The standardized valuation system includes examining a building’s foundation, basement framing, roof, interior, exterior, floors, heating, plumbing and electrical systems.
In other business, PROBUS members accepted the July secretary’s and treasurer’s reports.
Words of wisdom were given from Janet Snow from the FFA magazine. An article written by Anne Knapke on five animal instincts contained these themes: unconditional love, listen, stretch horizons, differences and “try.”
The next meeting will be Thursday, Sept. 1, at 10 a.m., once again at NMCC’s Reed Commons.
