Homeowners argue model overstates value of older Forest Avenue Cape

At a hearing before the Board of Assessment Appeals, homeowners Dor Darin and Liam Herren said the town's valuation places too much weight on land and modeled values and not enough on the limited utility and condition of older structures in their neighborhood.

Darin described his 1953 Cape as graded C with a 60% condition rating and told the board recent nearby sales and an out-of-sample sale showed clearance prices lower than model estimates. He argued a greater depreciation of the structure is warranted given redevelopment dynamics that often treat older houses as tear-downs with land priced separately.

Frink recorded the appellants' examples and told them he will present the materials to the board for deliberation; a written decision will be mailed before tax bills are finalized.

Outcome/next steps: Board will consider the record at deliberations and issue a written decision; appeal and court options were explained to the homeowners.