SKANEATELES #- Property values in Skaneateles, as most people are aware, are at the high end of the real estate market.

Though local officials were reluctant to release actual figures, local property values surely range from hundreds of thousands of dollars well into the millions.

Until recently, assessments of area properties were handled by three people who performed the duty on a part-time basis.

But starting last month, it became a one-man job. Ronald Miller is the town's first-ever full-time properties assessor after the Town Board appointed him in December.

“It's been interesting so far ... it feels like I've been here longer than 30 days,” Miller said from his office last week. “There's always a learning curve, but I think I'm a pretty fast learner, so things are going great.”

Miller has spent years in corporate real estate as a representative for several companies, including Bausch & Lomb and the Dial Corporation. Before coming to Skaneateles, he served as assessor for the town of Inlet, near Old Forge.

Miller said that his home there is currently on the market, and once its sale is complete he will relocate to the Skaneateles area. For the time being, he is renting an apartment here.

“And I walk to work every day, which is really enjoyable,” he said, noting his satisfaction at being able to see area properties first-hand.

The obvious advantage of having a full-time assessor is his accessibility, Miller explained.

“Well, you're in the office every day, so you're more available to property owners if they want to discuss things with you,” he added.

One change in the properties assessments process that will accompany Miller's new position is the plan to implement an annual reassessment program. Previously, properties in Skaneateles have been assessed every two to three years.

“The problem you have is, if you go three or four years (with no assessment), and you have a market that's changing drastically, you start getting inequities in your (property) values,” he explained.

Having an annual system in Skaneateles, he added, will provide more up-to-date information.

Deputy Town Supervisor Ellen Kulik echoed Miller's statements.

“Part of our hiring him was to get the process on track for a yearly review,” she said. “Ron won't be able to do it this year, because it'll take him a little while to get up to speed, but that's what we're really hoping for.”

Overall, the Town Board is definitely happy with its choice, Kulik said.

“I think Ron's a really approachable guy, which is one of the things we really liked about him,” she said. “He's had a lot of people in there to talk to him, and he takes his time with them ... we're really pleased.”