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Blackstone assessors appoint RRG consultant, outline valuation, inspection and abatement timetable
Summary
The Town of Blackstone Board of Assessors voted to hire Regional Resource Group Incorporated (RRG) for the coming fiscal year and urged residents to check property field cards as valuations tied to 2023 sales are finalized ahead of a January 2025 abatement window and tax-rate setting in December.
The Town of Blackstone Board of Assessors voted Aug. 15 to appoint Regional Resource Group Incorporated (RRG) of Leominster as the town consultant for the fiscal year running July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, and outlined how residents can review and, if necessary, challenge property assessments.
Chair Bob Plutchwitz told the meeting that the board contracted RRG to "fulfill our obligations as the principal assessor for this town" and that the firm brings "over 20 years of knowledge and service" to the work. He said valuations and tax bills remain provisional until the town sets its tax rate in December 2024 and issues third-quarter bills on Jan. 21, 2025.
The board framed the appointment as part of a data-cleanup effort after social-media posts questioned recent valuations. "We have a few Facebook warriors out there that is making statements and posting in general terms," Plutchwitz said, adding that such statements may not be accurate and reminding residents that formal abatements must be filed when the abatement window opens in January 2025.
Dave, a consultant with RRG, told the board that assessed values are based on prior sales: "assessed values are retrospective, they're not current market. So we use 2023 calendar year sales to set the values for fiscal 2025," he said, explaining the firm will clean and reconcile data before final adjustments.
Plutchwitz urged property owners to review their assessor field cards online and to schedule an in-person inspection if factual details (for example, building size) are incorrect. He warned that inaccurate field-card data can affect appraisals and later tax calculations and said the board will adopt a procedure for processing abatements when the filing period opens in January 2025.
Votes at a glance: the board approved acceptance of the June 27, 2024 minutes; voted to approve and sign vouchers; approved a posted list of real estate and personal property abatements (motion recorded as "Motion by Joe, second by Jeremiah" and carried by 'Aye' responses); and approved the appointment of RRG as town consultant. A motion to adjourn carried unanimously.
The board said meetings are posted publicly and invited residents who want to discuss an assessment to request time on a future agenda or call the assessor’s office to schedule an inspection. The assessors thanked Dave of RRG for joining the meeting remotely.
