Print
Share page with AddThis

Public Notice from the Board of Assessors

Disclosure of Proposed Fiscal Year 2022 Property Values
Posted on: October 25, 2021 - 1:25pm

In compliance with Chapter 40, Section 56 of Massachusetts General Laws, the Melrose Board of Assessors has conducted a reassessment of all classes of properties in the City of Melrose for Fiscal Year 2022. The Assessors have received Preliminary Certification of values from The Bureau of Local Assessment of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR).

Every five years, a certification review is conducted by Bureau of Local Assessment to ensure the community’s values were derived utilizing a methodology based on generally accepted mass appraisal practices, are supported with current market evidence, and are uniformly and equitably applied to all property. 

For Fiscal Year 2022, property assessments represent full and fair market value as of January 1, 2021. Arms-length sales from calendar year 2020 were used to determine values for single-family homes, multi-family homes and condominiums. Calendar year 2019 and 2020 sales were used for all other classes of property including commercial and industrial parcels. Arms-length sales are those in which the buyer and seller are acting in their own self-interest and the sale is freely negotiated on the open market, without undue pressure from either party.

This revaluation resulted in an average increase of 6.6% for single family properties, 5.8% for condominiums and 5.7% for commercial and industrial properties from the Fiscal Year 2021 assessments. Tax Rates are expected to be lower as a result of these increases, but will not be finalized until December.

As part of the DOR’s public disclosure requirements, the new Fiscal Year 2022 valuations are available for public review on the City’s website (https://www.cityofmelrose.org/assessor) between 10/25/21 and 11/1/21.  Taxpayers are encouraged to contact the Assessor’s Office via email (assessors@cityofmelrose.org), phone (781-979-4104) or in person during this public disclosure period with any questions on the proposed values. There will also be books available at the Melrose Public Library and with staff at the Council on Aging.

The Assessor’s Office hours are 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Friday.

The public disclosure period will close on Monday, November 1, 2021 at 4:00 PM.

NOTE: This process does not replace the lawful period to file an application for abatement.