Many Lewiston residents are voicing frustration with how city officials have handled the recent property revaluation after they received notices showing assessments doubling and tripling in some cases.

The results of the city’s first full revaluation since in 1988 went out Monday, though it’s unclear when the new values will be put into effect. It could be as soon as this year.

Jason Lowit is a lifelong Lewiston resident who has lived the past 61 years at his home on Farwell Street. He says his home is currently assessed at $147,200. The revaluation puts it at $465,000.

He said the price increase has him considering moving.

“I realize the old valuation was indeed too low, but it would appear that the city is trying to get the most money from residents it deems can afford it the most,” said Lowit. “But I have been forced to think about it the last few years with ever-growing tax increases since the city does nothing to attract business.”

Jeffery Padham owns properties on Bardwell Street and Nichols Street. He said his Bardwell property valuation will see an increase of about $30,000, but his two properties on Nichols Street will see large increases.

He said he’s feeling “railroaded” and wants to make sure the process is done fairly and equitably.

“I’ve got a two-unit with four bedrooms and two bathrooms with 2,500 square feet assessed at $414,000,” said Padham. “Right next to it I have another two-unit with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, 2,900 square feet, but it was assessed $80,000 less. It’s basically the same units, but why is the smaller one $80,000 more? I just don’t get how this was done.”

Padham said he has a formal review scheduled with Tyler Technologies, the company the city contracted with to do the revaluation, to explain the values.

According to Josh Nagine, Ward 1 city councilor, he’s received at least two dozen emails and had around 30 individual conversations with residents concerned about the revaluation. 

Concerns about the revaluation have prompted one group to organize a rally outside Lewiston City Hall on Tuesday before the City Council meets, while others are calling on concerned residents to attend the meeting.

Michelle Gosselin, a real estate agent with Home at Last Realty in Auburn, said her biggest concern is for senior homeowners.

Gosselin, a Lewiston resident, said she has received five phone calls from homeowners who are looking to sell their homes, and many calls from elderly residents asking what people should do and how they will be able to afford the new assessed values.

“I sit in these living rooms with these folks and they’re scared,” said Gosselin. “They’re already scared and now they’re asking ‘How am I going to be paying more taxes?’ It’s hard because we don’t have the voice to change it and we want to.”

She said the best thing people can do when receiving their new assessment values is to not panic.

A revaluation always comes with an adjustment in a municipality’s mill rate — the rate property owners pay per $1,000 of assessed property value. Lewiston’s mill rate is expected to drop dramatically because of the revaluation, though an exact figure will not be determined until the budget is set.

If a property owner disagrees with their assessment value, they should first schedule a review with a representative with Tyler Technologies. If the review process does not address the concerns, they can make a formal appeal with the city’s assessor.

Tyler Technology can be reached at 1-888-416-9440 between 8 a.m. and 4:40 p.m. Monday-Friday. The Lewiston assessor can be reached at 207-513-3122 and at [email protected].

Gosselin said that beyond those measures, there are other steps homeowners can take to help relieve the pressure, but she urged patience with the process.

“We’re all one step away from losing our homes and our livelihoods any day,” said Gosselin. “And when everything rises, it gets scary really quickly. But for now, we need to wait and see how dramatic the changes are before we panic.”