Swampscott clerk celebrates 25 years on the job

SWAMPSCOTT – When Pamela R. Hogan began as a clerk in the assessor’s office, Bradlees anchored the Swampscott Mall and a residence was taxed at a rate of $22.59 per $1,000 in valuation.Thursday while celebrating the 25th anniversary of her first day in Swampscott, Hogan said she has seen much change in the tax rolls – including residences now taxed at a rate of $16.60 per $1,000 in valuation. But while many people might feel like they can’t keep up with the constant changes of the modern world, Hogan said that her years in Town Hall has shown her that the important parts of Swampscott – as well as the town’s take of taxes – are constant.”The values were a lot lower back then, but the rates were a lot higher,” she said while surrounded by flowers, and gifts in recognition of her anniversary. “We still have beautiful beaches here and are still a small New England town.”Hogan said she moved to Swampscott in the early 1960s from Long Island and was proud to have graduated from Swampscott High School in 1968. She and her husband – who also seems to value employee commitment, having worked at General Electric for 38 years – raised two sons in Swampscott and now has two grandsons, Hogan proudly reported. And from the time that she first arrived in the assessors office in 1986, Hogan’s desk has been in the same room – only moving to a new corner of the room last year. Even with electronic tax filing, email and other conveniences, January through April remains busy as people come in to request abatements, pay excise and real-estate taxes ? and more.”We’ll say that they come in ?inquiring’ about their tax bills,” joked Linda Paster, Building Department Clerk.But Hogan said that – even in the assessors office – the constant interaction with fellow Swampscott residents is what has kept her in the same office for so many years.”The public contact kept me here,” Hogan said, noting that she has even been in the same office – although she did move her desk to the corner – for her entire career. “You meet interesting people and I enjoy helping them out.”Still, she expressed shock that 25 years had passed so quickly.”I don’t know where the time has gone – looking back, it doesn’t seem possible,” she said. But nevertheless, she said she’s not finished.”I’m going to stay as long as I can,” she said.