Barton Town Clerk and Treasurer Kristin Atwood has been fielding questions from residents about a new property valuation report that nearly doubles current assessed values. The report, prepared by New England Municipal Consultants, LTD, was presented at the Barton selectboard meeting last Wednesday. Atwood responded to a query from the public during the meeting, according to a photo caption from the Newport Daily Express.
The valuation increase comes as the town prepares to auction 18 properties for delinquent taxes. Atwood has been designated to represent the town in the tax sale process, which is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.
Selectboard members have not yet publicly commented on how the new valuations will affect tax rates or the upcoming sale. The Northeast Kingdom has seen rising property assessments in several towns, often sparking debate about affordability and municipal spending.
NEK will be looking into how the valuation increase may impact property tax bills and whether affected property owners have avenues to appeal the new assessments.
Originally reported by Newport Daily Express.
Photo: Justin.A.Wilcox (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0). Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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