Mission Statement:
The Assessors are required by Massachusetts Law to list and value all real and personal property on an annual basis. Assessed values in Massachusetts are based on "full and fair cash value", or 100 percent of the fair market value as of January 1 of each year. To arrive at "full and fair cash value", the Assessors with assistance from the appraisal vendors, interpret the real estate market by analyzing property sales between buyers and sellers. This involves an analysis of market activity by each class of property.
Assessors are required to submit these values to the State Department of Revenue for certification every three years. In the years between certification, Assessors must also analyze the real estate market and perform interim adjustments to values, as needed. This requirement is so that the property owners pays his or her fair share of the cost of local government, in proportion to the amount of money the property is worth, on a yearly basis rather than every three years.
The office also administers the statutory exemptions, abatements, motor vehicle and boat excise. The Board of Assessors also compiles the necessary tax policy data used in the annual tax classification hearing.
Fiscal Year 2013 Tax Rates:
Residential: $12.36
Commercial, Industrial, Personal Property: $24.39
| 