The purpose of the Assessor’s office is to discover, list, and value all real estate, business personal property, and motor vehicles in a uniform, equitable manner, conforming to State and Federal standards and mandates. The established tax base provides for approximately one-half of the total Town budget; payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) provide for additional funding. PILOT fund applications are provided largely by the Assessor’s office, i.e. values generated and reported for properties owned by the State, Housing Authority, private colleges and hospitals, manufacturing facilities, as well as elderly, veterans and disabled homeowners.
The Assessor’s office conducts monthly sales ratio analysis reports for the State Office of Policy and Management, while maintaining and updating ownership and mapping records. Assessment information and technical assistance are provided to property owners, attorneys, developers, realtors, other departments and the Board of Assessment Appeals on a frequent and regular basis.
State law now requires revaluations every five years, which must comply with CT Standard Performance Regulations and meet several statistical tests of compliance.
This office also administers several local and state exemption programs, including: farm and forestry; veterans, blind and totally disabled; tax deferments under the Enterprise Zone and UR Home programs; ambulance-type motor vehicles; commercial motor vehicles.
The Assessor's Department provides announcement of filing dates/criteria for several programs:
