Assessors Hit the Streets in Johnston

Homeowners in Johnston may get knocks on the door this week by people asking to inspect their properties — it's part of the "full revaluation" process conducted every 10 years under state law.

Mayor Joseph Polisena said during a recent interview at that all of the assessors have badges issued by the , and their vehicles are marked to identify them as working on the revaluation.

"I advise homeowners to let them inspect the properties, because if they can't, they guess-timate — and they usually guess-timate high," Polisena explained, which results in higher taxes for the property owner.

Values are typically based on the size of the lot and buildings; location; and additions or renovations that may have been made since the last revaluation — including some that were done without town permits.

This year's process is expected to last another couple of weeks, with the new assessments going into effect for the fiscal 2014 town budget.

Polisena also noted that the revaluation is costing the town some $400,000.