It's official, reval lawsuits are on the way

Residents warned that the town would face litigation over the recent revaluation, and they were right. On Monday, May 11, attorney William Landry offered an official statement regarding potential lawsuits stemming from the reval. In short, the litigation is on its way. Officially, here is what he wrote: “BET has authorized its counsel to begin preparing suit papers challenging the Vision Appraisal Co. statistical revaluation update of Barrington properties as of December 31, 2008. Several dozen taxpayers have asked to join the suit, with additional plaintiffs making similar requests each day. The suit will proceed in part on a class basis; will challenge the legality of any tax assessments and certifications that are based on the Vision Appraisal statistical revaluation update; and will seek relief requiring a corrective Town-wide re-assessment having retroactive application, plus ancillary damages and legal fees. The thrust of the plaintiffs’ claims are that the Vision Appraisal revaluation systemically failed to comply with legal requirements that tax assessments (1) reflect the full and fair cash values of properties assessed, or a uniform percentage thereof; and (2) fairly distribute the burden of the property taxation among taxpayers. Subject to the approval of the representatives of the plaintiff class, the suit is expected to be filed later this month."