General Information

The Board of Assessors is an elected Board for a 3-year term. Once elected, they must complete the basic course of training and pass the online examination prepared by the Commissioner of Revenue within a two-year period. Upon passing the 40-hour Course 101, by the DOR (Department of Revenue) in Assessment, Administration and Law, the Assessor receives a certificate of achievement, and can now sign all required taxation forms.

Our population is approximately 900. We have the largest area in Berkshire County, with 52.3 square miles, and are the most heavily forested town in the County with over 30,000 acres of woodlands.

Our purpose is to classify and determine the "full and fair cash value" of all real and personal property according to Mass. General Law (Ch.59) for the purpose of taxation.

Among our responsibilities are:

  • To review and process abatement applications for Motor Vehicle, Real and Personal Property; R/E Exemption applications for qualifying elderly, widowed, blind, or disabled veterans,etc.
  • To review and process applications for tax incentives for Land use for Recreational, Forestry, or Agricultural purposes…Chapter 61, 61A, and 61B
  • To implement a revaluation of all real and personal property every 3 years and to conduct cyclical property inspections every 9 years in accordance with the Department of Revenue (DOR) mass appraisal standards
  • To maintain and update information on each Property Record Card
  • To review Building Permits