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Concord assessors weigh using overlay funds for 2028 revaluation and cemetery expansion
Summary
At their Jan. 27 meeting the Concord Board of Assessors considered releasing money from the town’s Overlay Account to pay for a 2028 property revaluation and a proposed cemetery expansion amid a surge in abatement filings and pending Appellate Tax Board cases.
Concord’s Board of Assessors on Jan. 27 considered whether to release funds from the town’s Overlay Account to cover upcoming projects, including a planned 2028 revaluation and a proposed cemetery expansion.
Jennifer Barrett, Concord’s chief financial officer, told the board that appraisal services through fiscal 2029 — including the 2028 revaluation — are expected to cost approximately $125,000 and asked the board to earmark any released funds for a specific project rather than moving them to Free Cash. "I would like the Board to release funds to Overlay Surplus and then vote on the use of the funds at Town Meeting," Barrett said.
Board Chair Dr. Mera Tilley cautioned against drawing down reserves while the town faces an unusually high volume of abatement claims and several commercial cases pending before the Appellate Tax Board. Vice-Chair Yanni Tsitsas said the recent large increase in taxes "has taken a toll on certain groups" and asked for a clear plan before approving any release.
Town Assessor Meredith Stone reported that 17 abatement applications had been filed as of the meeting, and she reminded the board the filing deadline is Feb. 2, 2026. Stone said the Assessors' Office has provided requested materials to the auditors and to the town’s Tax Relief Task Force; she also reported that Real Estate Research Consultants will begin reviewing personal property accounts in February.
Board members noted that materials scheduled for that meeting included 48 new residential exemption applications that the paperwork estimated would reduce the Overlay Account by nearly $100,000. The board agreed to review overlay-account data and to continue discussion at its next meeting, scheduled for March 3, 2026, at 6:30 P.M. by Zoom.
Procedurally, the board voted to approve minutes from Nov. 4 and Dec. 16, 2025 on a motion by Mr. Brendan Kemeza, seconded by Mr. Yanni Tsitsas; the roll call recorded three ayes. At 7:19 P.M. Mr. Kemeza moved and Mr. Tsitsas seconded a motion to enter executive session to consider statutory and residential exemption applications, Community Preservation Surcharge exemption applications and Appellate Tax Board cases under Open Meeting Law purpose #7; the board voted 4–0 to enter executive session and adjourn from that session.
No formal decision to release overlay funds was taken at the Jan. 27 meeting; board members said they would review requested data and return to the question at the March meeting.
