The city's Board of Assessment Appeals heard 500 requests from property owners hoping for lower assessments in the wake of revaluation.
Dominic Pasquale, one of the panel's members, said the hearings were "really hectic, just so many people" looking to catch a break.
Pasquale said the assessor's office won't know until the end of the month how the adjustments will affect the overall Grand List.
He said that many of the people who came in said they couldn't afford the growing tax burden. They're simply looking for relief, Pasquale said.
After hearing their stories, he said that he's worried that rising tax bills -- and they're heading up this year - are going to start forcing residents to move elsewhere.
Mayor Art Ward said that he's also heard from many people who are concerned about the projected 6 percent mill rate increase coming on top of revaluation, which sent many home values up more than average property in town.
Some people are going to see hefty increases, officials said. But Ward and other Board of Finance members said they did as much as they could to hold down spending without crimping municipal services or the schools.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
12 comments:
Keating: Still glad you ran for this?
What about the concept of Bristol taking a hard look at the budget and making an honest effort to cut spending? You can't tell me that there are not areas of spending that can be postponed or eliminated without cutting essential services.
That's what each of us will be doing with our own spending habits as the price of gas, food, etc. goes up.
TYPO???
which sent many home values up more than average property in town.
This sentence doesn't make sense. What does up more than average property mean?
The value of the average property in town rose more slowly than the value of the average home. Housing generally did better than commercial and industrial property. And some houses, of course, rose in value much more than even the average home.
They should not worry about people moving and leaving Bristol, it wont hurt Bristol.
I am moving out of Bristol, sick and tried of living here with liberal democrats that think
my money belongs to them. Will it hurt Bristol when I move? Nope, cause the poor sap
that bought my house will still be paying the same tax bill that I would have been paying.
The only way to hurt Bristol is, taking my $97,000 I make a year and not shopping or eating out any more in the town of Bristol. Hello North Carolina, where life is cheaper and $97,000 goes further, So long tax kill Connecticut and Bristol.
April 25, 2008 11:37 PM
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Got any room in your trunk ??? ;-)
Buh-bye 11:37 & 10:34! Don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out! :~)
April 26, 2008 11:54 AM:
Be careful what you wish for. Say hello to your new neighbor Hector "macho" camacho.
Has anyone noticed that they did their tax assessment at the peak of the market when everyone knew the prices were going to come crashing down soon? This way they can maximize their profit.
to remark,s made of mr pasqualehe ia a master plumber a master fire protection cont. asub-surface sewage installer & a retired const. superviser with 57 yrs. of experience. &his 6th term on the board of appeals. who need,s a collage degree. knowledge is an education in it,s self.
P.S. WHAT ARE YOUR CREdential,s
11:54 AM
its people like you why I am moving. You want my money, but are to lazy to work for it. You drink and smoke in front of your rented apartment, drive sporty cars and dress like a pimp or slut, yet you want my money I worked hard for. Well here is the door slamming on you Lazy Bristol folks that don’t want to help yourself out!
Sorry Jerry, but you're waaaaaaay off. I have my own home, a job, a plain ole car, don't smoke, never dress like a pimp or a slut, and I certainly don't want your money. What I do want is for whiny, ineffectual malcontents like yourself to stop your pointless, mosquito in my ear whining.
News flash...Connecticut is in the top 10 for highest taxes in the nation! Always has been, probably always will be. (You're just figuring this out?).
You head on out to North Carolina and don't worry about us "lazy folks" here in Bristol. We'll be okay. I do feel a little sorry for the folks from North Carolina though.
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