East Longmeadow Assessors Introduce New Director, Warn of Higher Tax Bills

EAST LONGMEADOW — January 21, 2026 — East Longmeadow's Board of Assessors introduced a new assessing director and alerted residents to higher tax bills at its January 21 meeting. Keri-Ann Wenzel, named director of assessing following Diane Bishop's January 9 retirement, told the board that third-quarter fiscal year 2026 bills were mailed December 31 under a new tax rate of $19.43 per thousand, approved November 18, 2025, and that taxpayers who dispute their assessments must file an abatement application no later than February 2. Melissa Goodrow was simultaneously promoted from administrative assistant to assistant assessor, leaving a vacancy in the office that Grudgen said is open for applications. December warrant figures included $155,941 in real estate exemptions and $30,239.44 in Senior Work-Off abatements, which Grudgen called among the highest the board had recorded for that program.