Wallingford Mayor Warns Of Significant Increased Home Values In Town

WALLINGFORD, CT — Wallingford Mayor Vincent Cervoni is advising residents of potential “sticker shock” when they receive their home revaluation letters in the mail.

After seeing the recent frustration of North Haven residents when they received their revaluation letters earlier this month, Cervoni decided to reach out to Wallingford residents to “address concerns that may arise” with increased home values.

Read Cervoni’s full letter to the community below:

As Wallingford has just completed home revaluations as directed by the state legislature, we are reaching out to address concerns that may arise. We are especially concerned given the likelihood that this will result in increased home values for Wallingford residents. I understand and empathize with everyone who may feel anger and frustration with this situation.

Here’s what happened. Every five years, each municipality in Connecticut is legally required to hold these revaluations, which are conducted by an outside appraisal firm. Mayors across the state do not enjoy this practice. However, this process of revaluation is dictated by state law. In short, it must happen.

We are far from alone in this headache. Revaluations are staggered across the state; this year, 25 municipalities received the same letters explaining significant increases in home values, actually putting us a year ahead of schedule, again, as dictated by state law. Serving as a warning for Wallingford, next-door North Haven received their letters in early November, causing much frustration among residents there. First Selectman Michael Freda’s response, well-written and informational, served as the basis of this message. Like North Haven, one issue that increased revaluations here is the sheer number of homes in recent years that have sold in Wallingford for well over asking prices. The red-hot Wallingford real estate market has driven up valuations for us all.

Please do know that these home increases will likely lead to a mill rate reduction in the coming budget cycle. The degree of that reduction is something we will not know until we conclude the next budget season, in spring 2025. The increase in home values does not mean that the taxes the town collects will automatically rise alongside the increase in your home’s value. The budgetary needs of the town dictate how much we need to collect, not the value of the home in the town.

In the meantime, there are methods through which you can appeal the home revaluations:

1. ) A telephone appointment with the outside appraisal firm through the number listed on the letter, in an effort to review why you feel the appraisal is not accurate.
2. ) An appeal process to the town’s Board of Assessment Appeals by applying before the end of the business day on Feb. 20, 2025, by filling out and submitting a form in the Assessor’s Office at Town Hall. You can also find the form on the town website to fill out and email to the board at assessor@wallingfordct.gov. These emails must also come in before the end of the business day on Feb. 20, 2025. These meetings are individual meetings held in person. And more information about the entire reevaluation is available on the assessor’s office page on the town page.
3. ) Note – if you intend to appeal, do not miss any timelines. The appeal deadlines are set by state law.

I understand your concerns about these revaluations. We will work to mitigate the financial burden in the next fiscal year’s budget. In the meantime, there are steps available that may help decrease the valuation increases that each of us has unfortunately experienced.