Ellington assessor outlines revaluation timeline, informal hearings and tax-relief programs for seniors and veterans

Town Assessor John Rinaldi told First Selectman Laurie Spielman in a July interview that the town’s revaluation work is moving through data verification and outreach steps ahead of formal notices this fall.

Rinaldi said the revaluation vendor sent out data mailers about a month before the interview to thousands of residents as a verification step. “The notice the data mails went out about a month ago. The preliminary first notice will be sent in November, early November, early mid November, and that'll be an invitation to go to an informal hearing with the evaluation company first,” he said. Rinaldi said the company will issue revised notices after informal hearings when values change, and the town will mail final notices after the grand list is signed in January with information about the Board of Assessment Appeals.

Why it matters: Rinaldi said some property assessments will increase in line with market sales since 2020. “We have some houses that are 40, 50 plus percent more in value,” he said. He cautioned that higher assessments do not automatically mean higher tax bills because the mill rate may fall if the grand list grows: “If your grand list goes up, the mill rate comes down.”

Property data and inspections: Rinaldi explained that a full measuring and listing was completed in 2020 and is scheduled next for 2030; interim years rely on building-permit follow-ups, sales and targeted inspections. “The measuring and listing component is every other veil. It's by far the most expensive part of the process… That was done in 2020. It'll be done again in 2030,” he said. He also said the assessor’s office follows building-permit activity for new construction, additions, demolitions and land splits, and that property changes prompt visits. Rinaldi noted the office is handling several crumbling-foundation cases and scheduled inspections for some of those properties.

Classification and valuation factors: Rinaldi described classification codes that capture lot characteristics, topography, condition, house type and the degree to which basements are finished. “Age can certainly be a factor. An older house that's remodeled… might be in much better shape than a 10 year old house that hasn't been remodeled,” he said.

Senior and veteran relief programs: Rinaldi urged eligible veterans and seniors to contact the assessor’s office and to file necessary documentation with the town clerk when applicable. He recounted a recent case: “We had a gentleman come in 2 weeks ago who was a Vietnam veteran and didn't realize he was eligible for something. He had been eligible for over 50 years, and he didn't realize that. And we got him to… file your DD 214… and we'll be able to give him an exemption this year.”

Rinaldi outlined typical program amounts discussed in the interview: the historical basic veterans exemption in some towns remained $1,000, while Ellington’s local exemptions had been increased (Rinaldi said the town was “at $6,000 now”); senior homeowner programs can reduce taxes — he cited ranges of $150 to $1,250 of savings and noted Ellington adopted a local supplement of $200 for ages 65–69 and $500 for those over 70. He emphasized that state income guidelines and eligibility can change yearly.

Outreach: Rinaldi said the assessor’s office has posted a PowerPoint on the town website and scheduled presentations at the senior center and library in the fall. He encouraged residents to review sales data and property records online before the town’s notice arrives so they can be informed heading into informal hearings.

Ending: The assessor framed the revaluation as a periodic, market-driven review and urged eligible seniors and veterans to consult the assessor’s office or town clerk for documentation to pursue exemptions.