House Republican Press Release

March 28, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Williams, Sen. Kane: Funding Okayed to Help Watertown Develop Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal System

State Bond Commission Okays $27,500 Grant at Regular Monthly Meeting Today

The State Bond Commission has approved a $27,500 grant for Watertown that will help the town develop a state certified computer assisted mass appraisal system to provide for fairer and more accurate revaluations and improve assessment and tax collection practices, state Representative Sean Williams, R-68^th District, and state Senator Rob Kane, R-32^nd District, announced today.

The funding was approved at the bond commission’s regular monthly meeting today (Friday, March 28, 2008), at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

The grant also will help pay for the training of town employees in assessment and tax collection practices, Representative Williams said.

“When towns put computerized appraisal systems in place, they help local assessors perform fairer and more accurate revaluations of residential, commercial and industrial properties,” Representative Williams said. “When the new appraisal system is up and running, it will substantially reduce the possibility of some homes or businesses being arbitrarily and inequitably assessed at higher – or lower rates – than comparable properties, and lower the number of appeals filed by aggrieved property owners. I’d like to thank Governor Rell and the Bond Commission for approving this grant.”

"This grant will reduce the costs of implementing a computerized system on local taxpayers," said Senator Kane. "A state of the art appraisal system also means the town will not have to hire additional staff for appraisals. It also will allow existing staff to more efficiently conduct everyday business."