Fairfield homeowners press board over large revaluations, wrong comps and flood-zone impacts
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Summary
At a Board of Assessment Appeals hearing, dozens of property owners protested sharp increases in appraised values and raised errors in appraisal reports, lack of sold comparables and the effect of flood-zone designation on marketability and insurance. Board members asked appellants for sold comps and set deliberations for March.
The Board of Assessment Appeals held an evening of hearings on Jan. 23 as dozens of property owners sought reductions after recent revaluations.
Board member Sonia Daley swore in appellants and repeatedly told residents that the board needs sold comparable sales tied to the valuation date before it can reduce an appraised value. “When somebody comes in with an appraisal and all their adjusted comparisons, it makes our job a lot easier,” Daley said (board member). Several appellants, including condominium owners and single‑family homeowners, said they lacked suitable sold comps in the base valuation period and asked the board to accept private appraisals instead.
Appellants described a pattern of large percentage increases across town. One homeowner noted a roughly 44% increase in the town’s values and said the assessor’s office even delivered a neighbor’s report for their address, a clerical error that the board acknowledged and said it would verify. Another appellant whose property sits in a floodplain said she is not FEMA‑compliant and that insurers had threatened cancellation; she argued that flood risk reduces marketability and should lower appraised value.
Several residents also raised questions about how small, landlocked parcels were valued. An appellant who owns two vacant, road‑inaccessible strips said a town appraisal listed each parcel at tens of thousands of dollars despite there being no access; the private appraiser estimated one lot at $5,500. The board asked for the field cards, maps and the appraiser’s report to confirm whether the parcels were treated as developable land.
Board members advised appellants to bring any bank appraisals, closing statements and sold‑sale records in the base year; if the board has sufficient sold comps it may recommend a partial reduction rather than fully adopting a private appraisal. The board said deliberations on the current set of 91 appeals will likely begin in March, and appellants will be notified in writing of outcomes.
The sessions were procedural hearings to establish the evidence each homeowner will present to the full board; no formal votes or final decisions were recorded at the hearing. Deliberations and any final actions are expected after the board reconvenes in March.