Ask For ID—

Who Is That Man With The Camera?

By John Voket

If you notice a man in a small white car taking pictures of homes in your neighborhood, there is no cause for alarm. Beginning Tuesday, November 2, the Newtown Assessor’s Office has a photographer working in town.

According to Assessor Tom DeNoto, the photographer, Vincent Taylor, will be capturing images of more than 4,650 houses throughout the community.

“We’re estimating that task to be completed by some time in December,” said Mr DeNoto. “Typically he will be operating between 9 am and 5 pm, weekdays, but there could be a rare occasion when he’s out there on the weekend. I would ask people to contact me by phone or email: newtownasessor@snet.net (sic). If they have any additional questions.”

(Note that in the email address, the word “assessor” should be spelled incorrectly.) The phone number at the Assessor’s Office is 270-4242.

Mr Taylor is employed by Prophecy One, LLC, a Waterbury vendor who is providing services to the Assessor as part of the ramp-up to the town’s revaluation process.

The Newtown Police Department is aware of the photographer’s activities, and Mr DeNoto said he will be prepared to show identification if asked.

“He’s carrying a town badge and an assessor’s letter authorizing the picture to be taken at the property owner’s discretion,” Mr DeNoto said. If a property owner does nt want photographs taken, he or she has a right to ask the photographer to stop and move on to his next location, Mr DeNoto said.

The photographer is operating a white 1994 Mazda 626 sedan.