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Resident presses Select Board after abatement denial as assessor explains comparables
Summary
A Brentwood resident questioned an abatement denial and a 30% interior valuation discrepancy; the assessor described sales-comparison analysis, reduced the assessed value by $5,000 but recommended denying the abatement.
A Brentwood resident raised concerns about a denied tax abatement Tuesday, telling the Select Board he believes his home's interior was overvalued and that he was not contacted for an interior inspection.
"They had my interior valued at 30% better than average ... nobody's come over to inspect it," Dan Pearson of 364 Middle Road told the board, asking why his abatement was rejected and noting that his taxes have risen sharply in recent years.
The assessor explained the review of comparables, saying three Brentwood colonial sales ranged from $660,000 to $780,000 with a median of $707,000, and that the subject property's assessed per-square-foot value of $307 fell within that range. The assessor said data corrections reduced the assessed value by $5,000 to $739,900 but recommended denial of the abatement. The assessor told Pearson the town would send a letter explaining the decision and the appeals process.
Board members suggested Pearson follow the written notice and pursue appeal channels if he remains dissatisfied. One member also suggested referring applicants denied an abatement to the town welfare director to explore other supports.
Pearson said he has lived in Brentwood for 36 years and that the recent increase in his tax bill left him concerned. The board did not change the outcome at the meeting but confirmed the standard adjustment (the $5,000 reduction) and described next steps for appeal.
