Media Contact: Randolph Yunker - (516) 571-2490

(Mineola, NY) Nassau County Assessor Harvey Levinson today announced that he has implemented measures to ensure the installation of a modern touch-tone multi-frequency Interactive Voice Response System (IVR) to replace the obsolete Wang communication system that has been in operation at the Department of Assessment for the past decade. The IVR System will be able to accommodate up to 2,500 calls per day, store messages, and recognize both English and Spanish language requests.

"The Department of Assessment's telephone system upgrade is long overdue and will put an end to the misdirected or lost calls that resulted during high call periods with the existing antiquated Wang communication system," stated Assessor Levinson.

While Assessor Levinson is making every effort to have the new IVR System operating by mid-December, residents may experience long delays or transfer difficulties on the Department's automated telephone system line (571-1500). Until the new system is activated, residents may contact the appropriate divisions at the Department of Assessment directly by dialing any of the telephone numbers listed in the following table.

DIVISION	TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Senior Citizen Exemption	571-0787, 571-0783 or 571-3853
Enhanced or Basic STAR	571-2377, 571-2364 or 571-6185
Veterans or Handicapped Exemptions	571-2067 or 571-2407
Limited Income Disability Exemption	571-0873
Volunteer Firefighters/Ambulance Workers Exemption	571-2308
Property Information	571-2038
ALL OTHER INQUIRIES	571-2490

"In addition to contacting the Department of Assessment by telephone, residents are invited to forward requests or comments by e-mail at NCassessor@NassauCountyNY.gov," concluded Assessor Levinson.