Appraisal Systems Inc.(ASI), which has spent most of the past nine months conducting the reassessment ordered by Essex County, offered that information during an update Tuesday night at the Township Committee meeting.
The firm also indicated that letters informing residents of their new property assessments began going out this week, but would not reach all homeowners until Dec. 23.
ASI Representatives Ernest Del Guercio and Jason Cohen said the letters were delayed from the original Nov. 10 target date because of final reviews that were needed, but pointed out they were still within their contracted timeline.
See a portion of their update below:
They said that the first letters this week would reach residents on the west side of town, next week in the center areas, and the following week on the east side.
But some residents and members of the TC objected to the delay saying that residents need to know such information quickly.
"We want to make sure that people get it in their hands as soon as possible," Mayor Vic Deluca said. "To really let this sink in ... People have lives."
Maplewood Tax Assessor Edward Galante said that the letters are being sent out as quickly as possible, but need to be reviewed to make sure they are complete and accurate.
"To make sure the job is done as correctly as possible," Galante told the TC. "I don't want to rush the letters out until I've had a chance to do a review property by property."
You may recall ASI was hired at a cost of just over $400,000 last spring to conduct the mandated review. Part of it involved inspecting each property inside and out. ASI said about 80% of homes were entered, with the others either refusing or not at home when they were visited.
Once the assessments are sent, residents will have until May 1, 2017 to appeal them. The new rates will affect tax bills beginning on Aug. 1, 2017.
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