Rochester Finance Committee Chair Kris Stoltenberg said his questions regarding the hiring of a full-time Assessor were meant to help the committee prepare for fiscal year 2015, not stir controversy.

Stoltenberg said the committee had asked if the Assessors considered hiring a full-time agent, as the decision affects the town’s budget.

Assessors responded at the Board of Selectmen’s July, 15 meeting where Rochester Assessor Diana Knapp read an open letter that stated the Finance Committee had no authority over the board’s decision.

Stoltenberg said he wanted to know what the Assessors plans were. He didn’t want to influence their decision.

“The Finance Committee wants to be in the loop for the thought process.” Stoltenberg said. “We have an incredibly committed Board of Assessors and I’m not going to tell them what to do.”

Rochester has three elected Assessors and one part-time Assessor. Stoltenberg has scheduled to meet with the board. Before that meeting, his questions will have to be submitted in writing to the Assessors, per their request.

Stoltenberg said that while the request was “ridiculous” he would comply in order to keep open communication between the two boards.

“My intent is to get past the charge that the various boards in town don’t talk to each other,” he said.