Selectman’s Corner

by Matt Riiska

For those of you who have questions regarding property values, your opportunity to appeal property values is coming up. In March, the Board of Assessment Appeals (BAA) will be meeting to hear appeals on real estate, automobiles (which includes trucks and trailers) and personal property. But you need to do your homework first. 

First go to https://norfolkct.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/BAA-March-2021-Application.pdf to get an application. If you have trouble doing this, contact the Norfolk Assessor’s office at 860-542-5287 for an application. These applications need to be completed and submitted to the Assessor’s Office by Saturday, Feb. 20. They can be mailed, and there is a drop box at the main entrance of Town Hall. This is not a postmark date; this is when the applications must be at Town Hall. Collect information on the property you are appealing. I think my property is worth less than is documented by the assessor is not an argument. The BAA is there to assist you, so help them by providing information.

The BAA will be meeting with appellants to review submitted appeals on Thursday, March 11; Saturday, March 13; and Tuesday, March 16. You will receive notification on the time of your appointment once all the applications have been processed.

It is budget time again, and we are going through the department budgets and planning our spending for Fiscal Year 2021/22. The Board of Finance (BoF) will be reviewing the General Town, Botelle School and Regional 7 budgets over the next few months. I encourage you to log on to the BoF Zoom meetings to keep informed (go to the town website, norfolkct.org, and click on Events). There will be a budget hearing in late April, and the annual town meeting will be in early May. 

For those preparing to get their Covid vaccination, please go to the main page of the town website. There you will find the phone number to call to arrange for an appointment. We will continue to provide updates as more information is provided by Torrington Area Health District and the Department of Emergency Management & Homeland Security. (For more information on vaccine rollout in our area, see article on p. xx.) We have been doing well with the Covid pandemic as a community, but this is no time to let your guard down. Wear your masks, practice social distancing and wash your hands frequently.

Take care & stay healthy.