The Nashua Legal Offices Abuse of Seniors
Senior citizen newcomers to Nashua filed an abatement on their 2016 residential
property assessment believing the assessment unfair. The City denied it. The couple
appealed to the Board of Tax and Land Appeals (BTLA} and lost the decision. The
folks did not understand the NH appeal process and did not present the required
evidence to win the appeal. However, the BTLA kept the door open and would not
rule in favor of the city on several points.
With the release of the 2018 assessments, once again, the couple believed the
assessment, set at $535,000 was incorrect. The property owner filed a 2018
abatement and determined the market value should be $485,000. Once again, the
board of Assessors denies their abatement. An appeal was filed to the BTLA.
During this time, the BTLA ordered the City of Nashua to a hearing and opened a
docket to “investigate concerns regarding the legality and proportionality of the
“City’s assessments. The Board’s concerns arise, in part, from a property tax
appeal: Corazzini v. City of Nashua, BTLA docket No. 28712-16PT (September 13,
2018}...” This is the property issue of this article.
The legal office paid Horizon Associates to provide a written appraisal for this
property. The appraiser determined that the market value was $495,000 very close
to the Corazzini’s abatement market value of $485,000. The assessment should be
$463,000 not $535,000. This would reduce the property tax bill by over $1500.
The assessors, according to written office policy, are to mediate and negotiate
residential property appeals. This light duty work does not require the use of City
Attorneys. However, Attorney Bolton and Attorney Leonard snagged this appeal,
harassing the elderly couple, ensuring they would not be treated fairly. The
attorneys repeatedly demanded entry to the home for an inspection, and
unprecedented request not required by law. The couple refused entry to the City
Attorneys. When the couple was called in to mediate, the city did not disclose the
paid appraisal.
The couple was unaware that their market value was very close to the appraiser's
market value. Attorney Bolton was not willing to correct the property to fair value.
Instead, he hoodwinked the elderly couple, keeping the property over assessed and
pocketing $1000 of their fair refund. The assessment is now at $510,000 rather than
$463,000.
