Needham taxpayer challenges Highland Terrace assessments, cites per‑square‑foot gaps

An unnamed taxpayer met with the Town of Needham Board of Assessors on Friday, Oct. 10, to dispute assessments on multiple Highland Terrace properties, saying some structures are assessed significantly higher than local comparables.

The taxpayer said he had calculated an average of comparable multi‑family properties at about "$95 per square foot," while his property at 23 Highland Terrace equates to roughly "a $153" per square foot under the current assessment. He also told the board that 23 Highland Terrace is registered as a five‑family but was originally built as a six‑family, and that units there are about 400 square feet each. The taxpayer described 16 Highland Terrace as assessed at about "$144 per square foot." He said several small units on the street have been vacant and need refurbishment, and that market demand for very small…