Homeowners press Fairfield assessment board over sharp revaluations; deliberations to be recorded

Fairfield — Homeowners who appeared at intake hearings before the town's Board of Assessment Appeals on March 5 argued that recent revaluations overstated their properties and flagged neighborhood changes and inappropriate comparables as reasons to lower assessments.

Christy Kelly, an alternate on the board, swore in each appellant and repeatedly told residents that the board records deliberations and will mail a written number after it completes hearings. "We do record the deliberations," Kelly said, and "you will get a letter in the mail" with the board's decision; she also explained that appellants may pursue a final state appeal if they remain unsatisfied.

Why it matters: Property owners said big increases in assessed values — especially jumps driven by land valuation — could make ownership unaffordable for single or fixed-income residents. Several appellants brought recent private appraisals, photodocumentation and neighborhood descriptions to press their cases.

Examples from the hearings:
- 71 Belmont Street: An appellant said she bought her house 25 years ago, has made few updates and is worried the new assessment would translate to "about $1,000 a month" in taxes. She asked the board to consider local comparables and to accept photos of the home's unrenovated kitchen and bathrooms to explain why her property should be assessed at a lower level. Kelly advised collecting photos and documents for the deliberation packet and confirmed that deliberations will be accessible to appellants.

- 229 Euclid Avenue and 172 High Point Lane: Two appellants submitted recent professional appraisals and told the board those appraisals show market values lower than the town's figures. Kelly said appraisals "speak for themselves" and noted that files containing appraisals often move more quickly through deliberations because they supply clear, recent evidence.

- 66 Hillside Road: A long-term resident described substantial neighborhood change — a new veterinary center, an expanded farmers market with tents, a daycare and frequent deliveries — and said the resulting congestion, noise and loss of walkability should reduce her home's market value. The resident asked the board to record these neighborhood impacts in the appeal packet.

- 831 Hillside Road: The owner of a converted stone barn in the historic district argued the property is a nonconforming lot bisected by a brook, making additions and modern amenities (pool, large garage) impossible; the owner questioned why the town's new assessment placed most of the increase on land value.

What the board said: Kelly and other staff repeatedly described the process: the board will complete intake hearings through March, deliberate afterward (in roughly first-in, first-out order) and post or record the deliberation audio so appellants can hear the rationale behind final numbers. Kelly told appellants that a state-level appeal to a higher forum remains an option but typically requires attorneys and additional costs.

Next steps: The board expects to finish hearings in March and begin deliberations soon after; appellants should submit any additional evidence (photos, links to listings, appraisals or neighborhood documentation) before deliberation. After deliberation the board will mail each appellant a final assessed value; if appellants remain unsatisfied they may pursue a state appeal, which Kelly described as a more onerous, attorney-driven process.

The hearings included dozens of intake presentations that will be compiled for the board's deliberations and recorded for public inspection. No formal votes or final decisions were made at the March 5 intake sessions.