Selectman asks for explanation after residents report unexplained assessment increases

Selectman Richard Pelletier told the board that residents have seen assessment increases of about 1% between December and the present and that they do not know why the changes occurred. He asked the Selectmen to request information from the assessor to determine how many properties were affected, why values changed, and what can be done to prevent similar unexplained changes; he asked for that information to be provided at the next Selectmen meeting.

Selectman Pelletier made a motion to request the information and Selectman James C. Bailey III seconded; the motion passed. Resident Jennifer Schamel said she examined her tax bill and property card and found the tax letter showed the building value increased by about 2% while the property card data remained the same; she also said multiple residents had discussed the discrepancy on Facebook. The minutes record no immediate explanation from assessing staff and no formal remedy; the board will await the requested information.