Mass residents - vote YES on 1 !

[fishbones]

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

But they sure as hell can re-assess the crap out of you...


They'll get their money from somewhere.

Assessments must be done at fair market value based on property sales. With the RE market where it is, the towns wouldn't be able to do much to increase the assessed value of homes. Also, there would need to be a Proposition 2 1/2 override for towns to increase assessments. See if that would get passed by voters.

[The Dad Fisherman]

Originally Posted by fishbones

Assessments must be done at fair market value based on property sales. With the RE market where it is, the towns wouldn't be able to do much to increase the assessed value of homes. Also, there would need to be a Proposition 2 1/2 override for towns to increase assessments. See if that would get passed by voters.

I thought Assessments could be done on an annual basis...the prop 2 1/2 are done for special circumstances. I could be wrong though....Its not unheard of

[fishbones]

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

I thought Assessments could be done on an annual basis...the prop 2 1/2 are done for special circumstances. I could be wrong though....Its not unheard of

Assessments are done anually in many towns, but still can't be increased if property values go down. The language is pretty clear about it being based on RE values. If your property was assessed and you thought it was too high, you can fight it.

Prop 2 1/2 is for special circumstances such as new schools, renovation town bulidings, fixing bridges, etc... But all Prop 2 1/2 proposals have to go to vote before the residents.

Basically, citizens are in control of what they pay in taxes. The rub in it all is that, like you said earlier, the town will get it's money in the end. They'll raise prices for dog licenses, charge more for town athletics, give out more parking tickets and on and on. But, if citizens speak out loudly enough, we can limit what they try to take from us.