Court Claim—

Firm Seeks Final Payment For Revaluation

By Andrew Gorosko

The firm that conducted the town’s most recent revaluation of properties for tax-assessment purposes has filed a claim against the town in Waterbury Superior Court, charging that it has not been fully paid for services provided.

In a civil action filed earlier this month, Total Valuation Services, LLC, of Waterbury seeks to have a judge order the town to pay the firm the balance of the money which it claims the town owes it.

Thus the firm is seeking $53,399.65 that it claims it is owed, interest payments, and lawsuit-related costs.

In its court complaint, Total Valuation states that on May 24, 2006, it entered a contract with the town to assist the town assessor in making a reappraisal and revaluation of all real property in Newtown for use in determining the real estate values to be included in the October 1, 2007, grand list.

For its overall services, the town agreed to pay the firm $534,000, the legal papers state.

“[Total Valuation] performed all of its obligations except for the provision of a digital camera system known as Bluetooth, which technology had not become available,” according to the documents.

By February 28, 2008, the town accepted the work that Total Valuation had performed, the legal papers state.

In July 2008, Total Valuation submitted an invoice to the town for payment of the balance of $53,399.65 for its work on the revaluation contract, according to the court documents.

“Despite demand for payment, Newtown has refused to pay any part of the balance due and remains indebted to [Total Valuation],” it adds.

The town has a December 1 court return date in the case.

Asked about Total Valuation’s legal action against the town, Town Assessor Chris Kelsey said that the tax assessment computer software that the firm provided to the town has never worked properly.

Many software features do not work correctly, including a feature that is keyed to the town’s Geographic Information System (GIS) database, Mr Kelsey said.

The appraisal firm had attempted to fix the problems at one point but was unsuccessful, so the town decided against making the payment requested by the firm, Mr Kelsey said.

Town Attorney David Grogins said the town will be addressing the issues raised in the court case.