The tax classification hearing to determine Belmont’s property tax rates for fiscal year 2026 is slightly delayed, owing, in part, to the fact it’s a certification year for the town.
“This year is a little later than we have traditionally done,” said Town Administer Patrice Garvin, explaining to Select Board members Monday night why there has been a delay in holding a tax classification hearing.
The tax classification hearing will be held at a joint meeting of the Select Board and Board of Assessors on Dec. 23 at 11 a.m. in the Select Board Conference Room at Town Hall.
According to Select Board Chair Elizabeth Dionne, certification occurs every five years. The process requires sending property assessments to the state to ensure the accuracy of the data.
“We’re [assessing] more parcels — an extraordinary amount of parcels — than we would any other year,” Garvin said.
Between Friday, Dec. 13, and Thursday, Dec. 19, the Board of Assessors was available for public review of the fiscal year 2025 inspections, which are pending preliminary certification by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.
“That needs to be done before we have a classification hearing,” said Assistant Town Administrator/Finance Director Jennifer Hewitt. “That’s the other item delaying the hearing.”
According to a public disclosure notice from the town, residential property values have increased an average of 2.2% from the fiscal year 2024 assessments. Commercial and industrial properties, meanwhile, have seen a 22.5% increase.
The town is also working with an antiquated system, further delaying the process, noted Garvin.
Assessor Dan Dargon “has to go in and make changes manually,” she said. “In other towns with updated systems, you can push a couple of buttons. We’re updating that system, but it’s a process.”
According to Garvin, the Select Board will consider a contract for a new system at a future meeting.
She added that this year marks a transition from an elected Board of Assessors to an appointed one.
“We’re in contact with the state … and they’re aware of our timeline,” she said.