Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
The Fitchburg City Board of Review convened on May 18, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. to act on committee work for the annual board of review. The meeting was chaired by Sean Paff. The primary agenda item was a residential property tax objection hearing for 4525 Pawnee Pass. The board also addressed a scheduling request from another property owner.
Residential Objection – Michael Ianelli (4525 Pawnee Pass): The property owner, Michael Ianelli, contested the assessed value of $553,300 as of January 1, 2026, arguing the fair market value should be $525,000. He presented two appraisals: one from February 2025 at $500,000 and a more recent HELOC appraisal from January 2026 by Jeffrey Corbett at $532,000. Mr. Ianelli noted the city’s stated assessment ratio of 94.81% would imply a fair market value of ~$583,000 when applied to the assessed value, which he believed was too high. The city’s assessing team (Julia Stover and Chris Leeds) justified the assessment using a mass appraisal model based on 2024 arm’s-length sales in the same Bellmar neighborhood, with adjustments for property size, condition, and amenities. They noted the property is one of the largest in the neighborhood (2,893 sq. ft.) and that the assessed value per square foot ($191.25) was lower than comparable sales. The appraiser, Jeffrey Corbett, explained he used a broader geographic area and different methodology (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac guidelines) to avoid over-improvement concerns, but the assessor argued that using 2025 sales would be premature in a maintenance year. The board also discussed a $300 adjustment for a removed diving board that was still on the record.
Scheduling Request – Mr. Sellinger (continued from previous): The board received a letter from property owner Sellinger requesting a continuance from the scheduled May 18 hearing to May 28, citing insufficient notice. The city clerk noted that the 48-hour notice requirement was met. After discussion and consultation with the city attorney, the board voted to grant a continuance to June 8, 2026 at 8:30 a.m., the date of the next scheduled board of review meeting.
Ianelli Objection – Vote to Uphold Assessor’s Valuation:
Sellinger Continuance: The board voted to reschedule Mr. Sellinger’s hearing to June 8, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. (time to be coordinated with the commercial property hearings already on the calendar). Motion by Chair Paff, seconded by Fairchild, carried unanimously.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned following the vote.
Hi, I'm Jeremy Brockby. And I'm Nick Boucher. We're your hosts for the program that's all about your city, Talking Fitchburg. Every weekday, we pull together the news, events, and information you need to stay on top of what's happening in the city of Fitchburg. Find Talking Fitchburg on Cable TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, and our live stream on the web. Plus, you can find all our headlines and stories on Facebook, YouTube, and our video on demand service. This is your city. Keep up with Talking Fitchburg and the issues affecting you and your neighbors. Get connected, Fitchburg. Sign up for Fitchburg Connect, the city's monthly e-newsletter that keeps you informed about all the events, services, and updates that matter to you. Get it in your inbox once a month. Sign up today to get Fitchburg Connect. I call to order the Fitchburg City of Fitchburg Board of Review for May 18th, 2026. Um meeting at 10 a.m. We are here today to uh act on committee's work for the annual board of review. Uh uh call the meeting to order. I would ask um our honorable clerk Tracy to call the roll. Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Chair. Chairman Sean Paff. Present. Uh Richard Bloomquist is absent. Elton Krim Jr. Here. Carol Poole. Here. Shari Batun is absent. Amanda Conessa is absent. Andrew Slager is absent. Mark Fairchild. Present. You do have a quorum. Thank you. And thank you to those that could adjust their schedule and to those that couldn't be here. That's why we appoint seven members to this committee, because this is a committee that can do a quorum of four. So thank you. At this time, I move to agenda item 3A, approval of our most recent meeting, which was just last Thursday, May 14th, 2026. You have a copy of the minutes in front of you, Tracy. Thank you for putting these together. Quite lengthy minutes. Carol, you want to make a motion to get it on the table. We'll discuss maybe his questions. Yes, motion by Poole to approve the minutes from our meeting of May 14th, 2026. Third child second. Very child second. As you can see, we went through the process of uh getting the open book opened and the things we all needed to do, which leads us to here today.