Cromwell assessment board reduces multiple taxpayer valuations, denies utility appeals tied to litigation

The Cromwell Board of Assessment Appeals on March 9 appointed its chair and clerk and then heard a series of personal-property and motor-vehicle appeals, approving several reductions and denying others where the board said the record or court status prevented relief.

Chairperson Julie Fitts Ritter and Board member Karen Torrenti — who made and seconded most motions during the hearing — voted to amend or reduce assessments for several appellants after evidence and discussion. The board amended Beyond Auto Center’s assessment to $30,000 plus a late-filing penalty for a total of $37,500 after owner Jacek Piwowaski presented photos and described the business as conducting only minor repairs. The board also granted a $500 tools exemption for Hartland Fabrication after representatives said they had purchased the company’s assets; that change produced a new assessed value of $323,420. Motor-vehicle and personal-property adjustments included reducing John Lombardi’s assessment to zero and lowering Ground Force Medicine’s assessment to $2,540. The board reduced the value for outbuildings at 379 Main Street to $140,000 and cut Cross Culture Creative’s assessment to $880 (including the late-filing penalty).

Several appeals were denied. The board denied Noreastern Motorsports’ appeal because the taxpayer did not provide vehicle-specific information the assessor needed to value unregistered vehicles; Rodney Goulette maintained he is a car dealer and argued dealer plates are not taxed, while Assessor Shawna Baron explained the plates themselves were not taxed but the unregistered vehicles were. Appeals from utility companies CL&P doing business as Eversource and CL&P doing business as Yankee Gas were denied after company representatives said late filings resulted from postal service errors; the assessor told the board both utilities are currently in litigation with the Town over personal property, and the board denied the requests. Cromwell Growers’ appeal was denied pending a forthcoming appraisal and reference to an existing court case resolving a related claim. Attorney Brian Hoeing’s request on behalf of Middlesex Hospital — MHS Primary Care — for an exemption was denied because that matter is also before the court.

Motions were generally made by Chairperson Fitts Ritter or Ms. Torrenti and recorded as “all in favor” when passed. Where appellants did not appear — including Bimbo Bakeries USA and S D Associates — the minutes note nonappearance and do not list board action on those items. The board scheduled a special meeting for motor-vehicle hearings on Sept. 2, 2026, from 4 to 5 p.m. and adjourned at 7:18 p.m.

The minutes list Assessor Shawna Baron and Deputy Assessor Gail Henrick as staff present; Lisa Ruggiero was appointed clerk and filed the meeting minutes.