Glocester updates legal posture as Factory Mutual tax appeal moves to Superior Court

Glocester officials told the Town Council that West Glocester LLC and Factory Mutual Insurance have filed an appeal in Superior Court of a disputed tax assessment, and town staff described steps the town has taken to respond.

The solicitor reported the appeal was filed within the required 30-day window following the board of assessment review decision; the filing date in the record was April 8. The town previously received and denied appeals at the assessor and board-of-review levels. The solicitor said the town has retained special counsel for tax litigation and retained Sans Souci & Associates, a firm of engineers and appraisers that works with municipal governments on special-purpose property assessments.

Officials said the litigation could take 12 to 18 months to reach trial and that multiple years of appeals often are consolidated. The council approved a five-year contract for Sans Souci to perform annual assessment and appraisal work; the town solicitor reported an estimated additional budget need of roughly $50,000 per year to fund expert work as the litigation continues.

The solicitor emphasized that different aspects of the claim have differing strengths and weaknesses and that filing appeals does not guarantee the town will prevail. Town staff said property owners also will receive notices for back taxes; those taxpayers will have the same appeal rights and timelines as other taxpayers.

Council members asked clarifying questions about the timeline and the town's funding plan; the solicitor and retained experts were listed as available for follow-up. No vote or change in policy was taken at the meeting; the item was an informational update and a reminder that the council may need to appropriate further funds in coming budget cycles to cover litigation costs.