BLOOMFIELD, NJ -- The
Township of Bloomfield will be conducting a property revaluation in 2019 as
ordered by the Essex County Board of Taxation. The purpose of the program is to
ensure that all residential and commercial properties are fairly taxed by aligning
their assessed value with their true market value. Mayor Michael Venezia,
Township Council members, the Township Administrator and Tax Assessor’s Office
today announced that four community meetings have been scheduled where
interested residents can learn more about the revaluation process and ask
questions:
Saturday, March 23 at 10:00am in
the Bloomfield Middle School Media Center
Thursday, April 4 at 11:30am in the
Bloomfield Civic Center
Thursday, April 4 at 7:00pm in
Watsessing School Library
Tuesday, April 9 at 7:00pm in
Brookdale School Library
Previously announced meetings
scheduled for March 13th have been rescheduled in order to accommodate more
attendees and ensure that adequate notice is provided.
The Township has contracted with
Glen Rock-based Appraisal Systems Inc. to conduct the property revaluation.
Between mid-March and October of this year, Appraisal Systems representatives
will be visiting all 13,134 property structures in town, taking exterior
measurements and exterior photos, and inspecting interior improvements with the
property owner’s consent. All representatives visiting properties have been
background checked by the Bloomfield Police Department, and will show their
photo identification upon conducting inspections. Appraisal Systems conducted
previous town-wide reveals in 1992 and 2010. The Township usually undergoes this
process every 10 years.
Appraisal Systems will begin their
work in the township on March 25, after residents have had at least one
opportunity to learn about the process at public meetings.
"The purpose of a property revaluation is to comply with the Essex County Tax Board order to make sure that all properties are valued at today's market. This process, which all New Jersey municipalities must follow, equalizes values as property values change over time,” said Township Administrator Matt Watkins. “For our part, we want to make sure residents are informed every step of the way. When an inspector from Appraisal Systems comes to your door, they must show
identification, and I would like to remind residents not to allow anyone into
your homes without proper photo identification. If in doubt please call the
Bloomfield Police Department so our officers can verify the inspector.”
Owners of commercial properties will be receiving forms to complete pertaining to the income and expenses of their properties, called Chapter 91. Any residents with questions can contact the Tax Assessor’s Office at 973-680-4021 or by visiting Room 108 of Town Hall.
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