City Assessors

The Assessing Office is managed by the Assistant Assessor and also the three member Board of Assessors.

Important Information Regarding the Pandemic

It is important to understand that FY2021 assessments are based on the assessment date of January 1, 2020. On this date, the ongoing COVID pandemic had yet to emerge in this country, and therefore was having zero impact on the real estate market, and could not be considered in arriving at FY2021 values. COVID impact will be reflected in assessments for FY2022, based on 2020 market data. As a result, please note that any adjustment to an assessed value will only be made for reasons unrelated to the pandemic or its subsequent economic impact.

Fiscal Year 2021 Tax Rates

• Residential - $12.70
• Commercial - $24.86

Responsibilities

The primary duty of the City Assessors Office is the assignment of property value to all property owners in the City according to the requirements of Massachusetts General Laws. The Assessors Office also works to:

• Establish the fair market value of all property (12,985 real estate parcels and 1,597 personal property accounts) in the City and notification of such value to all owners of such property as of January 1 of each year
• Maintain records substantiating all assessments made
• Prepare and issue commitments for the collection of property taxes and motor vehicle and boat excises to the City Collector
• Act on all abatement and exemption applications filed and represent the City in proceedings before the Appellate Tax Board
• Review all building permits to determine impact on valuation of property