PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city of Pittsfield's Board of Assessors has released the real estate and personal property assessments for Jan. 1, 2022, which are part of the citywide property reevaluation completed for fiscal year 2023.

 

Beginning Monday, Oct. 24 through Friday, Oct. 28, the assessment abstracts will be available on the city website, cityofpittsfield.org or in person at the Assessors' Office, Room 108, City Hall. Copies of the FY23 assessment abstracts are also available for viewing at the Reference Department at the Berkshire Athenaeum, 1 Wendell Ave. and the Ralph J. Froio Senior Center 330 North St.

 

During this timeframe, property owners will have an opportunity to share questions or thoughts pertaining to their property assessment with city officials. Assessors will be available to answer questions, discuss assessments and review requests for changes in assessments during the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

 

This review process precedes the tax rate classification hearing on Nov. 15.

 

Finance Director Matthew Kerwood said he encourages all property owners to review their assessments.

 

"They should look at it, so they have an understanding of what their property is being valued at and use that information in conjunction with the tax rate to understand what their individual tax impact will be for FY23," he said. "We also encourage property owners to review their property record cards to ensure information is accurate and up-to-date."

 

Property record cards are available via the Property Maps-GIS link on the home page of the city's website.

 

State law requires that a comprehensive review of all properties in the city be assessed annually and recertified by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) every five years.

 

Municipalities are responsible for developing a reasonable and realistic program to achieve the fair cash valuation of property in accordance with law. This program includes, but is not limited to, a review and analysis of existing property values and verification of existing property record information.

 

All properties are revalued in accordance with law and DOR guidelines. These assessments were finalized by the Pittsfield Board of Assessors and have received preliminary approval by the State Bureau of Local Assessments.

 

City Hall is located at 70 Allen St. For more information,  call the Assessors' Office at 413-395-0102.