Assessor

The Assessor's Office is responsible for the administration of all laws and regulations regarding property tax assessment. The Assessors, as required by Chapters 59, 60A, 61, 121A of the Massachusetts General Laws and various Acts of the Legislature, perform the appraisal of approximately 21,000 parcels of property. This includes residential, commercial, industrial, utilities, and personal property. The Assessor commits to the Collector over 58,000 excise tax bills to be processed on motor vehicles and boats each year. The Assessors establish the assessed value of property each fiscal year.

The Mayor and Town Council determine the budget each year. A tax classification hearing is held each year in the Town Council Chambers at Town Hall. The Town Council votes to distribute the tax burden amongst classes as a result of this hearing. The Assessor then commits to the Collector the amount of taxes to be collected including betterments and water and sewer liens. The Assessors handle requests for abatements and exemptions through the avenues prescribed by the Massachusetts Legislature. The exemptions are for veterans with at least 10% service related disability, income-eligible elderly, surviving spouse, and blind.

This Division also is responsible for preparing cases for hearing and defending property values before the Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board and for reporting all sales within the Town to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. The Assessors' Office works daily with the inquiries of taxpayers, planners, developers, builders, real estate professionals and others. The Assessors coordinate the revaluation process to comply with the laws of the Commonwealth and to achieve a sound base for fiscal planning within the Town.

Staff Contacts

Name Title
Patricia O'Kane M.A.A. Principal Assessor