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Court rules largely against Eversource in tax appeals; Lancaster's share listed as $2,300
Summary
Town Manager Jessica Cyr told the Select Board that the Merrimack County Superior Court ruled Dec. 18 largely in favor of municipal valuation experts in Eversource’s 2017–2023 tax appeals; Lancaster’s amount owed was reported as $2,300 and the town has joined a motion to dismiss based on the "rule of reasonableness."
Town Manager Jessica Cyr told the Select Board on Jan. 5 that the Merrimack County Superior Court issued a decision Dec. 18 in the Eversource 2017–2023 tax appeals that was, in the town's description, largely unfavorable to Eversource. Cyr said the court found that "Eversource’s expert did not provide a credible opinion of value" for the company’s transmission and distribution property and that the court found the municipalities' experts (identified in the minutes as George E. Sansoucy and Brian Fogg) more credible.
Cyr said the court allowed a limited exception: where application of equalization to the municipal experts' opinions reflected an over-assessment, the court granted abatements based solely on the municipal experts' opinions. Lancaster's amount owed was recorded as $2,300; the town joined other communities in filing a motion to dismiss based on what minutes call the "rule of reasonableness." The minutes do not list additional legal filings or the court's written order text beyond the summary provided by the town manager.
Cyr presented the court decision as an informational item; the board took no recorded formal vote on next steps during the meeting. The minutes note the town has joined other municipalities in a related motion to dismiss.
