NORWAY — A vocal group of residents is confronting the town about its recent revaluation, citing inconsistencies or errors made by appraisers and potential conflict of interest on the part of John O’Donnell, the town’s tax assessor and whose business is conducting the appraisals.

One resident, Matthew Glatz, who owns a multifamily home in a neighborhood off Main Street, said his property and several others received a 200% increase in assessed value.

Glatz spent weeks studying Maine laws, town records and tax assessment data. He said that more than 1,000 residents had a decrease in assessed value or remained flat. Two-thirds, though, had increases, many significant, he said.

Recent Select Board meetings have been packed with residents commenting on the process. The new values will put a much larger load on the majority of the town’s taxpayers, in part to cover what they say is years of unfettered municipal spending.

A special Select Board meeting has been scheduled for Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. to discuss the 2026 tax commitment, although allowance for citizens’ comments is not part of the agenda.

The Select Board voted Sept. 3 to accept — John E. O’Donnell & Associates’ revaluations. It is required by law to set its tax commitment before Oct. 1 to issue property tax bills.

Town officials and residents are in agreement that a revaluation is long overdue, having been last conducted 19 years ago.

Glatz used the town’s data to build a website — A Citizen’s Guide for Fair and Transparent Property Tax Valuations, norwayparcelreview.org — which calculates how property values for every parcel in Norway changed from 2025 to 2026. 

The website also includes written analyses that include previous tax records and new evaluations, Maine state appraisal laws, assessing/appraisal guidance and training, how property buildings and parcels are categorized for value, and even a section on the values assigned to small sheds compared to the retail costs of new ones.

Glatz’s analysis calculates that the overall value of properties on King Street has increased by about $2 million. It consists of fewer than 10 buildings, mostly multiunit.

Glatz paid $112,000 for his property, at 15 King St., five years ago and has made improvements. His assessed value jumped from $116,000 in 2025 to $349,000 under the revaluation.

The property across from Glatz’s last sold in 2005 for $75,000. It has been vacant for 14 years, save a squatter here or there. Its condition is degraded and uninhabitable. It is now valued at $204,000 — $129,000 for the building and $75,123 for the lot.

During Select Board meetings residents have asked that the town find a way to compromise on the revaluations before mailing out tax bills. 

The most commonly voiced request has been to base the imminent tax commitment on last year’s valuation to give taxpayers a chance to have their revaluations thoroughly reviewed and adjusted if appropriate.

This move would keep a heavier burden on owners of 1,000 parcels whose taxes would drop, a group that according to assessments has been overtaxed for years.

Others have asked that tax bills be delayed, that interest penalties be waived while property managers file for abatement, or that tax payment due dates be adjusted.

Norway Town Manager Jill Lathan in a statement said, “The Select Board is doing their due diligence and will make their decision regarding the property revaluations next steps.”

Many who have spoken at Select Board meetings point out that abatement applications may not be fairly reviewed with O’Donnell serving as the town’s tax assessor while his business profits from producing a revaluation they say is flawed.

Lathan declined an interview request by the Advertiser Democrat and its Select Board Chair Sarah Carter did not respond to emails.

“I am very proud of this select board in their ability to hear both sides,” Lathan said in her statement. “They are truly representing Norway with integrity and equity.”

The board’s decision is expected to come following its special meeting Sept. 29.

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