Wareham's new Director of Assessment, Elsa Miller, is not one to sit at a desk. Armed with more than 30 years of real estate knowledge and expertise in coastal housing values, Miller began work in the Assessing Department on June 25 and says she already sees a lot of potential to increase revenue in town through new sources.

An assessor's primary job function is to make a fair cash valuation of all real estate and personal property subject to taxation. The Director of Assessment is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the department. For Miller, that means working with other town department heads to reach long term objectives such as downtown revitalization.

"I am a boots-on-the-ground kind of person," explained Miller. "[Revitalization] creates more value. That is the type of thing that I am interested in as an assessor."

Before accepting the position in Wareham, Miller was the head of the Department of Assessment in the seaside community of Hull for two years. Additionally, she has run a commercial property appraisal business, Miller Properties, for the past 22 years.

Miller's company often appraises homes in Wareham and Onset. The work provided her with extensive knowledge of the property values in town, she said. Now that she has accepted the full-time position in Wareham, Miller said she will "phase-out" her business to focus on her new position.

Miller first got into real estate in 1974 when she received her real estate license. She said the field was a natural choice for her.

"I have always liked houses. I have owned property since I was 17 years old," she said. "I quickly became interested in unique properties like waterfront homes."

Miller, a resident of Cohasset, said her interest in Wareham and Onset's unique seaside properties prompted her to apply for the position.

"I only applied to towns in waterfront communities because that is where my strength is," she explained. "When you look for a town to work in, you also look for a town with people who are interested in their community. ... I found that."

Miller said she is looking forward to getting to know the community and to working with the public.

The full-time permanent Director of Assessment position had been vacant for more than a year before Miller was hired.