Massachusetts Department of Revenue Division of Local Services
Christopher C. Harding, Commissioner
Sean R. Cronin, Senior Deputy Commissioner of Local Services
Sean R. Cronin, Senior Deputy Commissioner of Local Services
11/15/2019
Templeton Board of Assessors
Templeton Board of Assessors
PO BOX 620
East Templeton, MA 01438
Templeton Board of Assessors
PO BOX 620
East Templeton, MA 01438
Re: NOTIFICATION OF FINAL CERTIFICATION - Templeton
Dear Board of Members:
The Commissioner of Revenue has determined that the locally assessed values of real and personal property in your municipality represent full and fair cash valuation as of January 1, 2019 for fiscal year 2020 and that these proposed property assessments satisfy the minimum requirements for certification.
The Commissioner further certifies that:
The Commissioner further certifies that:
- All real property has been classified according to its use as of January 1, 2019 as required by Chapter 59, § 2A(b).
- A majority of the assessors have been qualified to classify property by their
attendance at a classification workshop conducted by the Department of Revenue.
The community must now hold a public hearing on the issue of selecting a residential factor, which will determine the percentages of the tax burden to be borne by each class of property for fiscal year 2020. Prior to the hearing, we urge you to promote public understanding and discussion of the options available to the town in regard to allocating the tax burden among major property classes. The Selectmen or the City Council with the approval of the Mayor may elect a factor greater than the minimum residential factor, or a factor of "1" which will result in a uniform allocation of the tax burden among all classes of property. In addition, they have the option of granting an open space discount, residential exemption and small commercial exemption.
It appears that you are progressing satisfactorily in complying with your responsibilities under the classification law. It is important that you complete the final steps expeditiously so that tax billing will not be delayed.
If you have further questions or require assistance in completing the final steps for a classified tax system please contact the Bureau at (617) 626-2300.
Fiscal Year 2025 Certification Directives:
In order to prepare for the next scheduled recertification of all real and personal property we are enclosing your community's program directives. These directives were made by your Bureau of Local Assessment advisor as a result of your FY 2020 certification review. You should have a budget in place for any work that needs to be done two years in advance of the next certification to avoid costly delays in obtaining timely certification from the Bureau.
As you plan and implement your next triennial certification, please consult the Bureau's Certification Standards in the Division's website, www.mass.gov/dls, in the Local Assessment section. If you need assistance please call your appraisal advisor.
It appears that you are progressing satisfactorily in complying with your responsibilities under the classification law. It is important that you complete the final steps expeditiously so that tax billing will not be delayed.
If you have further questions or require assistance in completing the final steps for a classified tax system please contact the Bureau at (617) 626-2300.
Fiscal Year 2025 Certification Directives:
In order to prepare for the next scheduled recertification of all real and personal property we are enclosing your community's program directives. These directives were made by your Bureau of Local Assessment advisor as a result of your FY 2020 certification review. You should have a budget in place for any work that needs to be done two years in advance of the next certification to avoid costly delays in obtaining timely certification from the Bureau.
As you plan and implement your next triennial certification, please consult the Bureau's Certification Standards in the Division's website, www.mass.gov/dls, in the Local Assessment section. If you need assistance please call your appraisal advisor.
Sincerely yours,
Joanne M. Graziano, Chief
Bureau of Local Assessment
Massachusetts Department of Revenue
FY 2025 Directives
TOWN of Templeton
Cyclical Reinspection
Cyclical inspections of property descriptions over a specified time should be continued. The residential, apartments, commercial, industrial and exempt properties should be complete for FY 2026. The business personal property should be complete for FY 2025. (A full field inspection and revaluation of all pp was conducted for the FY 2020 certification.)
Neighborhood Review
The assessors should review all residential neighborhood delineations in accordance with indicated land value and adjust them as needed by the next certification.
Land Schedules
The residential land residuals had to be trimmed by approximately 30% to be statistically compliant. The assessors should consider adjusting the land curve so the size adjustment value is closer to location adjustment value. The current size adjustment, 87120 square feet to 5000 square feet, is 3.77 times the location adjustment between neighborhoods. This may mean more neighborhoods are needed.
Other Directives
The assessors should continue to enhance the GIS capability so a GIS, color-coded neighborhood map can be produced for assessing purposes.
Other Directives
All unused site indexes should be removed from the Site Index Table.
Commercial-Industrial Land Schedule
Review recognized methods and techniques to establish the land values for Apartment, Mixed Use, Commercial and Industrial properties. Acceptable methodologies include: Sales Comparison (vacant land sales), Abstraction (land residuals), Allocation, Land Residual Capitalization, Capitalization of Ground Rent.
Massachusetts Department of Revenue
FY 2025 Directives
TOWN of Templeton
Cyclical Reinspection
Cyclical inspections of property descriptions over a specified time should be continued. The residential, apartments, commercial, industrial and exempt properties should be complete for FY 2026. The business personal property should be complete for FY 2025. (A full field inspection and revaluation of all pp was conducted for the FY 2020 certification.)
Neighborhood Review
The assessors should review all residential neighborhood delineations in accordance with indicated land value and adjust them as needed by the next certification.
Land Schedules
The residential land residuals had to be trimmed by approximately 30% to be statistically compliant. The assessors should consider adjusting the land curve so the size adjustment value is closer to location adjustment value. The current size adjustment, 87120 square feet to 5000 square feet, is 3.77 times the location adjustment between neighborhoods. This may mean more neighborhoods are needed.
Other Directives
The assessors should continue to enhance the GIS capability so a GIS, color-coded neighborhood map can be produced for assessing purposes.
Other Directives
All unused site indexes should be removed from the Site Index Table.
Commercial-Industrial Land Schedule
Review recognized methods and techniques to establish the land values for Apartment, Mixed Use, Commercial and Industrial properties. Acceptable methodologies include: Sales Comparison (vacant land sales), Abstraction (land residuals), Allocation, Land Residual Capitalization, Capitalization of Ground Rent.
