A Needham property owner told the Board of Assessors on Oct. 10 that assessments on several Highland Terrace properties are higher than market comparables and asked the board to reconsider valuations.

The owner, John (property owner), addressed the board during a scheduled taxpayer appointment and argued that two properties — 23 Highland Terrace (a five‑unit building that the owner said was originally built as a six‑family) and 16 Highland Terrace (three units) — are assessed at markedly higher per‑square‑foot values than nearby comparables. The owner said the town’s average for similar multi‑unit structures came to about $95 per square foot, while he is being assessed as high as $153 per square foot at 23 Highland Terrace and $144 per square foot at 16 Highland Terrace.

The board heard details about unit sizes, vacancy and rental demand. The property owner said small unit sizes and long vacancies have reduced marketability: “They don’t want 440 square feet,” he told the board, arguing that low demand and refurbishment needs weigh on fair market value. He said he paid about $500,000 for one of the properties in 2005–2006 and that the current assessments and per‑square‑foot comparisons do not reflect current marketability.

The owner provided comparative data he compiled, including Zillow ranges and a simple average of comparable assessments. He told the board, “I averaged out the square footage and the assessments, and it came out to $95 per square foot.” He also described how some downtown comparables raise the town average and cautioned that those are not strictly comparable to his properties on Highland Terrace.

Board members and staff asked clarifying questions about purchase dates, prior abatements and the physical condition of the buildings. Staff indicated they have records of previous abatements and asked the owner to leave documentation for further review. The board emphasized that the public appointment took place in open session and said confidential details could be handled later in executive session.

No formal adjustment was made during open session. The board moved to handle outstanding abatement and settlement requests in executive session later in the meeting; minutes show the board voted to enter executive session to discuss real estate and abatement applications and litigation strategy, and that it would not return to open session.

The board did not announce any immediate changes to the assessments on the record; next steps will be handled under the board’s abatement and settlement procedures.

Ending — The board asked the owner to leave supporting materials with staff for analysis and indicated staff would “crunch the numbers” before the board makes any formal decision. Abatement and settlement requests related to these properties will be discussed in executive session.