MIDDLEBURY — Attention Middlebury property owners.
You should be receiving in the email an official “Notice of Change of Appraisal” booklet relating to new valuation numbers that have been assigned as part of the recently completed reappraisal of townwide properties. This booklet, according to the Middlebury Board of Listers, will be your only notice of appraisal, so watch for the 8.5-inch-by-11-inch booklet with a hot-pink cover.
This booklet has the old values and new values for all properties in Middlebury, both residential and commercial.
The front of the book contains valuable information about the reappraisal, along with dates and times of the informal hearings and the formal grievance hearings.
The informal hearings are your opportunity to come speak to an appraiser about questions you might have on how he or she arrived at the new value.
Anyone who wants to contest his or her new valuation can request a formal grievance hearing. And please note: The booklet lists an incorrect phone number for requesting a grievance hearing. The correct number to call is 388-8100, ext. 250.
A company called NEMRC has spent the past several years visiting all properties in Middlebury to assign new values — based on improvements and other factors — as of April 1, 2019.
Middlebury will set its tax rate after the completion of formal grievance hearings and after Vermont finalizes the statewide tax rates.
“Every effort has been made to equitably assess property in Middlebury,” reads a recent message to local taxpayers from the board of listers. “Please compare your property with similar properties, and with properties that have sold over the past three years.”
Informal hearings will be held at the Middlebury town offices at 77 Main St. from June 18-21, from 9 a.m. to noon, and from 1 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Call 338-8100, ext. 250 to make an appointment.
Formal grievance hearings will be held at the town offices from June 25-28, from 9 a.m. to noon, and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Be prepared to present relevant evidence regarding your appeal. All appeals must be in writing. Letters must be received, and appointments made, on or before June 24.