Board of Assessors
The Board of Assessors is a three member elected board, each member being elected on alternate years for a three-year term. The Board meets regularly; usually on Thursday evenings after 7:00 P.M. The Town Clerk is responsible for posting their Meeting Notices. Meetings are open to the public and are held in their office at the Town Hall.
The Board of Assessors is required by Massachusetts Law to list and value all real and personal property on an annual basis. Valuation is subject to ad valorem taxation. Therefore, assessed values in Massachusetts are based on a full and fair cash value, or 100% of the fair market value, as of January 1st every year. The Assessing office consists of one full-time employee: the Assistant Assessor.
On a triennial basis the Department of Revenue (DOR) audits the Assessors assessment records and valuation techniques; to ultimately certify the Assessors real and personal property assessments. In the years between certification, assessors must also adjust values based on market sales. This is done so that the taxpayer pays his or her fair share of the cost of local government in proportion to the amount of money the property is worth on a yearly basis. The Nahant Assessors Office is responsible for appraising and assessing approximately 1470 real estate parcels, and less than 100 personal property accounts as well as annual motor vehicle and vessel excise accounts.
Enacting Language
CHARTER: 3 Members; 3 Years-Staggered
SECTION 3-7: BOARD OF ASSESSORS
(a) Composition, term of office: There shall be a Board of Assessors, consisting of three (3) members, elected for three (3)-year overlapping terms, so arranged that the term of one member shall expire each year.
(b) Powers and duties: The Board of Assessors shall annually make a fair cash valuation of all of the estate, both real and personal, subject to taxation within the Town. It shall determine the annual tax rate and shall hear and decide all applications for abatement of such taxes. It shall have all of the other powers and duties which are given to boards of assessors by General Laws and such other powers, duties and responsibilities as may be provided by this charter, by statute, by by-law or by Town Meeting vote.