Dighton Assessors Adopt Cross-Verification and Checklist Rules After Office Review

DIGHTON — July 16, 2025 — Dighton Board of Assessors votes to overhaul internal procedures after town administrator's office review. Following a complaint raised at the June 11 meeting, the town administrator presented findings showing the assessors office processes roughly 700 abatement and exemption change requests annually, with motor vehicle abatements alone jumping from 413 in 2024 to 595 last year — a 44 percent increase attributed in part to a new veterans excise-tax exemption. The board unanimously approved three reforms: a cross-verification system requiring a second review of all applications, quarterly internal procedure meetings with office staff, and standardized document checklists for residents filing abatement or exemption requests. The board also authorized a consulting contract with RG Assessing at a maximum of $4,000 through December 31, 2025, and approved motor vehicle abatement levies totaling $18,003.14 across three separate votes.