Simsbury Board Of Assessment Appeals Needs Volunteers

SIMSBURY, CT — Serving on town's tax appeals board is probably not seen as a glamour position when it comes to local politics.

But in a property revaluation year, sitting on a board can be a vital role in town affairs as folks are likely to be lining up to question their new property assessments, which can lead to large tax adjustments.

It is under that backdrop that the Town of Simsbury is looking for volunteers to be Simsbury Board of Assessment Appeals alternates.

And with properties being recently revalued, the board promises to be active this spring.

Alternate members sit in whenever a regular members is absent, with alternates seen as crucial to keeping quorums on boards and maintaining the flow of board business.

"The board serves as an appeal body for taxpayers who believe that the town assessor erred in the valuation of their property or erroneously denied them exemption," wrote the town Tuesday.

"The board hears property assessment appeals from homeowners, commercial property owners, owners of business personal property and motor vehicle owners."

According to the town, the board typically meets three to four times in March or April each year to hear property assessment appeals and once in September to hear appeals of motor vehicle assessments only.

But, due to the 2022 town wide revaluation, the number of meetings for spring of 2023 is anticipated to be greater than that of a non-revaluation year.

Alternate members are appointed for each member of the board. When seated, an alternate member has all the powers and duties of a member.

"Volunteers are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible," wrote the town.

Applicants for the board of assessment appeals will not be able to select this option from the list of boards, as the board is normally an elected on.

But assessment appeals board alternate hopefuls are asked to indicate their selection in the "narrative" section of the application.

Interested individuals should visit https://simsburyctboards.vt-s.... and click on “New Volunteer Form” to submit an application.