Assessor

The Assessing Department is responsible for the administration of all Massachusetts laws and Department of Revenue regulations regarding property tax assessment. The Assessors, as required by Chapters 59, 60A, 61, 61B and 121A of the Massachusetts General Laws and various acts of the Legislature, value approximately 12,000 parcels of real and personal property. This includes residential, commercial, industrial and personal property including utilities. Our department administers over 30,000 excise tax bills each year and is responsible for establishing assessed values of property every year. After Town Meeting approves the budget and warrant articles and the selectmen hold the Classification Hearing, jointly with the Assessors in the fall, the Assessors set the tax rate, subject to approval by the Department of Revenue (DOR). The Assessors can then commit the amount of taxes to be collected including betterments and liens to the Treasurer/Collector. The Department also handles abatements and various types of exemptions for veterans, seniors, surviving spouses, the blind and hardships.

The Assessors are also responsible for triennial certification by the DOR and defense of property values before the Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board. The Department oversees the Overlay Reserve Account and works daily with the taxpayers, real estate professionals, builders, planners and lawyers.

Contact us at (781) 341-1300 ext. 9227 if you have any questions.

Forms & Documentation

  1. Assessors Request for Abutters List (PDF)
  2. Change of Address Form (PDF)
  3. Charitable Organizations (PDF)
  4. Fiscal 2024 Real and Personal Property Tax Abatement Application and Instructions (PDF)
  5. Ongoing Inspection Program (PDF)
  6. Taxable Personal Property Form of List (Form 2) (PDF)