Property Owners Continue to Learn About New Assessed Values

Now that all property owners should have their new assessed value for 2012 from Appraisal Systems, , the appraisal firm has set up time periods over the next two weeks for those wishing to have an informal hearing to discuss reassessment details.

Hours began on Monday and will continue into next week. The remaining dates are:
Thursday, Jan. 12 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 17 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 19 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Meetings are set up in council chambers at Borough Hall. At anytime during these hours people can come in to review the details of property sales from 2011, which can be used for comparison. Frank Bucino, the hearing officer hired by Appraisal Systems, said Monday that several people had stopped in that day. The sale price of properties from 2011 is what the reassessment was based on, he said.

Those wishing to have an informal hearing must call 201-493-8530 between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.  to schedule an appointment during the designated time period. An appointment is needed so that the  hearing office can be sure to have the information on the property to be discussed available and ready in order to properly conduct the discussion, Bucino said.

Bucino recommended that people do take advantage of these opportunities to discuss details of the reassessment with representatives now rather than find themselves filing an appeal later on.

Information can also be accessed on line via Appraisal Systems website where property owners can review the former assessed value with the new assessed value of their own home and compare it to similar homes in their neighborhood.

The reassessment process began late last summer and was completed at the end of 2011. The as a way to ensure property was assesed fairly in response to a record number of tax appeals and foreclosures.