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Select board denies several abatement requests but orders assessment corrections
Summary
After reviews by property consultant KRT, Brentwood’s select board denied several taxpayer abatement requests but instructed assessment corrections that will lower some assessed values for the next tax billing cycle.
Brentwood’s select board reviewed multiple property abatement requests presented by staff and the town’s assessment contractor (KRT) and, in most cases, denied the specific abatement requests while accepting data corrections that reduce assessed values.
Staff summarized KRT’s review of 10 Russo Lane, noting the property’s assessed price per square foot falls within the range of comparable sales and recommending denial. “The subject, which is assessed for $315 per square foot and within the range of these sales appears to be fairly and equitably assessed,” staff said in the recommendation. The board followed KRT’s recommendation and denied the abatement.
The board considered several other cases (including properties at 26 Lake Road and 41 Prescott Road) where taxpayers alleged deferred maintenance or incorrect counts of bathrooms and outbuildings. In multiple cases KRT recommended denying the request because supporting documentation or comparable sales were not provided, but also noted that correcting sketch and data errors during the measure‑and‑list process would lower the assessed value. Board members asked whether reductions would be communicated to taxpayers and were told corrected assessments would inform the next tax billing.
One board member summarized the outcome: the board will decline the taxpayer’s requested abatements but will accept assessment corrections where KRT’s inspection and sketch corrections warrant a lower assessed value. The board voted on the package of recommendations and approved the denials as recommended while acknowledging the assessment adjustments that will be recorded for future bills.
The transcript shows the board discussing process questions — such as whether KRT will send letters to property owners whose assessments change during the measure‑and‑list phase — and members asked staff to follow up. The board’s action affects how homeowners will see values on upcoming tax bills but does not immediately change current tax bills until the assessment records are updated and notices are issued where required.
