Assessors urged to sign preliminary LA-4 report as property inspections uncover data issues

The Charlemont Board of Assessors was reminded Thursday that it needs to sign the Gateway Preliminary LA-4 report to obtain preliminary certification of the town’s fiscal year 2026 property values. Carlene Hayden, the assessor’s clerk, presented the reminder and the draft public disclosure notice that says proposed FY2026 values have been posted and remain subject to change; the board did not set a disclosure period at the meeting.

Board members also reported findings from recent data-quality inspections conducted with their BLA advisor. The board noted a measurement discrepancy at 26 Riddell Road (one measurement was recorded incorrectly and there is no basement; the grade was assessed as average–good). At 5 Heath Stage Terrace inspectors found an 8-by-10-foot shed that is not shown on the property card. For 336 South River Road the board said it is unclear whether a basement exists under the mobile home; Chair Karen Rau said she will inspect that property. At 10 South Street the board recorded that a structure behind the office did not appear on the card; Andrea Santos will follow up.

The LA-4 preliminary sign-off was presented as an administrative prerequisite for preliminary certification of values for FY2026. The draft public disclosure Hayden presented notifies the public that proposed values are posted and subject to change; the board did not decide the length or start of the disclosure period during this meeting.

The board’s discussion focused on ensuring the town’s property records reflect field conditions before values are finalized. Staff will perform follow-up inspections on the properties noted and return with corrections or confirmations before the LA-4 sign-off is finalized. The meeting record shows the board plans the next regular meeting for Nov. 3, 2025.