Longmeadow Board of Assessors hears multiple abatement appeals, tables commercial valuation review
February 27, 2026 | Longmeadow, Hampden County, Massachusetts
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The Longmeadow Board of Assessors met in the Turner Conference Room on Feb. 27, 2026, to consider several property abatement requests and administrative items. The board approved the open meeting minutes of Jan. 23, 2026, unanimously and then heard presentations from homeowners and property owners contesting assessed values.
Principal Assessor Maria Cataldo read staff recommendations for each appeal. Farah and Ghulam Sheraz addressed the board about 425 Inverness Road, explaining they moved back to Longmeadow and described the housing market context that they said supports their abatement request; Mr. Sheraz offered a police report he said documents a vehicle total loss as supporting evidence. Brian Prast reaffirmed a proposed value of $528,000 for 47 Ellington Road and said his review of 2024 and 2025 sales on Ellington and Farmington roads showed average comparable prices around $210 per square foot, while his property was assessed at $312 per square foot.
On the Dwight Road LLC commercial valuation, Principal Assessor Cataldo said the appraisal used an income-and-expense approach provided by Bishop & Associates. William Fitzgerald questioned how the firm calculated the capitalization rate and referenced a late-1990 court case, Olympian York v. Boston Board of Real Estate, when discussing deductions for tenant improvements. Ms. Cataldo offered to obtain additional information from Bishop & Associates and the board voted unanimously to table the item pending that follow-up.
James Reiss discussed conditions at 110 Overbrook Road, saying the house was built in two phases in the 1950s, sits on an unusually large lot for Longmeadow, and has winter access limitations (he said access is possible only through the basement because there are 16 steps to the kitchen/front door). He said the property’s configuration and dated systems make it functionally constrained. Grzegorz Cygan asked whether recent comparable sale prices are considered in valuations; Ms. Cataldo confirmed that recent sales are one factor among many. Cynthia Baker said the kitchen and bath at 82 Barrington Road are outdated, the back porch lacks a closet and heat, and comparable sales south of Maple Road were in the low $300,000 range; she said her updated opinion of value would be under $400,000. Mr. Etheridge, representing 218 Bliss Road / 450 Laurel Street, said he attended to understand the abatement process, noted his roof will soon need replacement, and said he was satisfied with the recommendation.
In administrative business, Ms. Cataldo reported that cyclical inspections will begin in the spring, there are three remaining property abatements to process, and the FY25 abatement for Big Y at the ATB was continued to June 3. The board voted to enter executive session at 10:00 a.m.; Mr. Anthony Martin excused himself prior to the vote. After returning to open session the board adjourned at 11:25 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for March 27, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in the Bliss Conference Room.
Votes at a glance: the board unanimously approved the Jan. 23, 2026 minutes (Mr. McLane moved; Mr. Bairos seconded); the board unanimously voted to table the Dwight Rd LLC valuation pending follow-up with Bishop & Associates (mover/second not specified in the record); Mr. McLane moved and Mr. Bairos seconded entry into executive session at 10:00 a.m.; and Mr. McLane moved and Mr. Bairos seconded adjournment at 11:25 a.m.
Principal Assessor Maria Cataldo read staff recommendations for each appeal. Farah and Ghulam Sheraz addressed the board about 425 Inverness Road, explaining they moved back to Longmeadow and described the housing market context that they said supports their abatement request; Mr. Sheraz offered a police report he said documents a vehicle total loss as supporting evidence. Brian Prast reaffirmed a proposed value of $528,000 for 47 Ellington Road and said his review of 2024 and 2025 sales on Ellington and Farmington roads showed average comparable prices around $210 per square foot, while his property was assessed at $312 per square foot.
On the Dwight Road LLC commercial valuation, Principal Assessor Cataldo said the appraisal used an income-and-expense approach provided by Bishop & Associates. William Fitzgerald questioned how the firm calculated the capitalization rate and referenced a late-1990 court case, Olympian York v. Boston Board of Real Estate, when discussing deductions for tenant improvements. Ms. Cataldo offered to obtain additional information from Bishop & Associates and the board voted unanimously to table the item pending that follow-up.
James Reiss discussed conditions at 110 Overbrook Road, saying the house was built in two phases in the 1950s, sits on an unusually large lot for Longmeadow, and has winter access limitations (he said access is possible only through the basement because there are 16 steps to the kitchen/front door). He said the property’s configuration and dated systems make it functionally constrained. Grzegorz Cygan asked whether recent comparable sale prices are considered in valuations; Ms. Cataldo confirmed that recent sales are one factor among many. Cynthia Baker said the kitchen and bath at 82 Barrington Road are outdated, the back porch lacks a closet and heat, and comparable sales south of Maple Road were in the low $300,000 range; she said her updated opinion of value would be under $400,000. Mr. Etheridge, representing 218 Bliss Road / 450 Laurel Street, said he attended to understand the abatement process, noted his roof will soon need replacement, and said he was satisfied with the recommendation.
In administrative business, Ms. Cataldo reported that cyclical inspections will begin in the spring, there are three remaining property abatements to process, and the FY25 abatement for Big Y at the ATB was continued to June 3. The board voted to enter executive session at 10:00 a.m.; Mr. Anthony Martin excused himself prior to the vote. After returning to open session the board adjourned at 11:25 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for March 27, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in the Bliss Conference Room.
Votes at a glance: the board unanimously approved the Jan. 23, 2026 minutes (Mr. McLane moved; Mr. Bairos seconded); the board unanimously voted to table the Dwight Rd LLC valuation pending follow-up with Bishop & Associates (mover/second not specified in the record); Mr. McLane moved and Mr. Bairos seconded entry into executive session at 10:00 a.m.; and Mr. McLane moved and Mr. Bairos seconded adjournment at 11:25 a.m.
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