SCHENECTADY City reassessments continue to shock some property owners BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
Rob Gavel and David Lowry got a surprising letter from the city this year. Their assessment, which had gone up after the citywide reassessment last year, was going up again — by 78 percent. Lowry said he was beyond surprised by the announcement. “More like shocked, actually,” he said. Their house is now assessed at $320,000. They bought it fi ve years ago for $114,000 and felt it was reasonably reassessed to $180,000 last year. This time, they said, the change is beyond comprehension. The city did not explain why they were reassessed again. They’ve done no renovations since the 2009 reassessment. And their next-door neighbor, whose house is virtually identical and semi-attached to theirs, is assessed at $148,000. She also has not done any recent renovations, but she added a third bathroom prior to the citywide reassessment, Gavel said. “Why is mine assessed almost double? It doesn’t make any sense,” Lowry said. He’s already begun researching recent sales data to cite in his grievance, which must be filed by May 25. So far, he said, his research has convinced him that he would not be able to sell the North Ferry Street house for $320,000. “There’s not a house in the Stockade that’s sold for over $200,000 in the last two years,” he said. City officials have asked Assessor Patrick Mastro to direct all calls regarding Grievance Day to administrator John Paolino, who did not continue Mastro’s tradition of defending the assessments. Instead, Paolino said Lowry and Gavel should take their case to the Board of Assessment Review. “That’s what Grievance Day is all about,” Paolino said, adding that he welcomed grievances from all residents who feel their assessments are incorrect. ................>>>>..............>>>>...............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01300&AppName=1
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Time to move OUT! Those who stay should have their heads examined!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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"Working together works!" Keep reelecting the same tax and spend crew.
