Appraisers warn regional reappraisal districts will raise costs, complicate inspections and appeals

Ed Claude Filter, a senior appraiser with the New England Municipal Resource Center, told the House Ways & Means Committee that proposed regional reappraisal districts and a move to a six-year cycle will increase costs, staffing needs and logistical complexity for towns and contractors.

Filter said his firm already staffs 35 people, including 20 appraisers and inspectors, and is contracted to reappraise about 82,000 parcels over the next three years. He warned that larger, regional projects will require moving staff across greater distances and paying lodging and travel costs. "I would prefer to do a 2 year project than a 1," Filter said, adding that compressing work into a single-year schedule creates a late, high-pressure surge of activity that increases the chance of mistakes.

Why it matters: Committee members are weighing proposals that would centralize appraisal work by grouping towns into assessment districts, increase the frequency of reappraisals and change appeal processes. Witnesses said the proposals affect municipal budgets, the availability of local contractors, and taxpayers' ability to receive timely…