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BY MICHAEL OLOHAN
OF NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS
Cresskill, New Jersey — A handful of residents dissatisfied with new and higher 2018 property reassessments appeared at the Feb. 21 council meeting and were advised to speak with a representative from the appraisal company by the mayor.
Mayor Benedict Romeo told about 10 property owners who appeared upset with higher property assessments to first set up a meeting with Appraisal Systems, Inc. of Glen Rock, to discuss the assessment and present their case. Letters spelling out the new reassessment values were mailed Feb. 12 to property owners.
Last summer, the borough hired Appraisal Systems, Inc. to do a “rolling reassessment” of properties, with 100 percent of properties being reassessed for 2018, and each following year 25 percent of properties will be reassessed to keep market values up to date.
Borough residents dissatisfied with their new property reassessments should make an appointment to meet with the appraisal company, Romeo said.
The mayor advised residents to make an appointment with a representative of Appraisal Systems, Inc, “and if that’s not to your liking,” homeowners can then meet with Cresskill Tax Assessor James Anzevino to discuss the assessment, and if that does not work out, finally file a tax appeal.
“Several people have gone down [to meet] and they’ve come away satisfied,” said Romeo.
Donna Citakian, Knickerbocker Road, questioned why the revaluation was necessary.
The mayor said the borough is “losing hundreds of thousands per year” in tax appeals and with the new revaluation, all properties are assessed at 100 percent of market value.
Citakian said it appeared many homes were assessed an extra $60,000, from her conversations with neighbors—raising her taxes approximately $1,500 yearly—and she wondered if they were not “being kicked out of the town” by higher reassessment values.
The reassessment letter sent to her—which she provided to Northern Valley Press—showed a 2018 assessment value of $469,700 on her home previously assessed at $402,200.
Signed by Appraisal System Inc. President Rick Del Guercio and Anzevino, the letter states a “predicted tax rate of 2.310 per $100 of assessed value,” but notes the “exact tax rate, however, cannot be computed until the county, school, and municipal budgets are approved and calculated into the official 2018 tax rate this summer.”
“We can’t afford this. I think it’s insane,” said Citakian, who has lived in Cresskill for 25 years. Citakian set up a meeting with the appraisal company on Feb. 24 to appeal the increase.
She said on social media “everyone is saying the same thing: We’ve lived in this town for many years and we have to leave. It’s just getting out of control,” she said. “You guys are doing those million-dollar homes,” she said, referring to new construction that may be raising property values.
“I think it’s wonderful that our property values are being raised. Some of us really like the town and want to stay. I find it’s very nerve-wracking,” she said of new assessments and appealing.
The mayor advised her to tell him what happens after her appeal meeting with the reassessment company.
Romeo said property values have increased.
“The town is so desirable that a house torn down is more valuable to a builder and to somebody coming in than it is to somebody just living in that house,” said Romeo.
Resident Mark Stovall said a “McMansion” was put up across the street, as well as behind his property. He claimed with higher-priced homes nearby “now you have a new value, because the homes around you have gone ahead and done their expansions. And…we’re stuck with that new assessment.”
“It’s a two-edged sword because you get more value for your house when you’re selling,” said Romeo.
The mayor advised residents to meet with the appraisal company, and tax assessor, in that order, to appeal a new property assessment.
“I’ve been in a couple meetings and they are very, very understanding,” said Romeo.
“It still hurts and we get that,” added Gregory Mueller, councilman and tax office liaison.
“Everybody’s taxes were out of whack. Human beings make mistakes…There’s going to be inconsistencies. We’re trying to be fair. We understand the pain this is causing people and we want to be fair,” said Mueller. “Be ready to make your best arguments,” he said, advising property owners to reach out for assistance in appealing a reassessment.
“I really regret that you folks are getting hurt here and please do avail yourself of the process. I think you’ll find that everybody involved has a heart and wants to help you,” Mueller said.
He said since “rolling property reassessments” will now occur – with 25 percent of property owners being reassessed each year—the assessments will be up to date and fairer moving forward.
“If you desire, you may contact an Appraisal Systems representative to discuss or present any relevant information regarding your new 2018 assessed value,” reads a letter mailed to Citakian. It lists both an email and phone number to set up the meeting: cresskill@asinj.com; or (201) 493-8530.
A company representative is available to meet at borough hall on Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Mondays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Meetings are by appointment only, said Borough Clerk Barbara Nasuto.
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