Southwick Assessors Approve Lien Transfer, Vote to Enter Executive Session

Other Committee · Meeting of April 27, 2026

Southwick Board of Assessors hears waterfront lot dispute, approves routine abatements and lien transfer. At the April 27 meeting, Art Mullen of Enfield appeared before the three-member board to contest a 9 percent assessed-value increase on a non-buildable family-owned waterfront lot at 8 Evergreen Street, arguing it outpaced the town's roughly 2.7 to 3.1 percent average increase. Board member John Cain noted the board had fielded 100 or more abatement requests this revaluation cycle, that excess land rates had risen from $2,100 to $2,400 per acre, and that the board planned to hire an outside firm to re-evaluate all properties.

The board voted unanimously to approve March motor vehicle abatements, Motor Vehicle Warrant and Commitment 2026-02, and a Chapter 61A agricultural lien transfer for Sharon Antico, then voted to enter executive session. Director of Assessing Randall Austin confirmed that exact statutory language for a proposed elderly tax-rate exemption change had been submitted to the Select Board's office and will appear as a town meeting article.

In the full story:

• The complete report — 969 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of April 27, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.