Welcome to Brighton, Vermont

If you would like to view a PDF version of the town-wide reassessment, you can see it here or click Reassessment Information on the menu above: 

The Town of Brighton contracted with New England Municipal Consultants, Ltd. (NEMC) for a complete reappraisal of all real estate within the town for the 2025 Grand List. As a portion of that contract, NEMC is required to hold informal discussions to review the new proposed assessments with property owners. This notice is a presentation of the proposed 2025 assessment for your property. This notice does not constitute the beginning of the legal grievance period. You will be officially notified of your final Grand List assessment in June.

The last full reappraisal completed in Brighton was in 2009. In August of 2024, NEMC began an inspection program to collect information on the homes and businesses in Brighton. Upon completion of the property inspections, the senior project manager established new assessments for all property by analyzing the sales of property within Brighton. The results were applied to the assessment of land and buildings in Brighton. The project supervisor and staff reviewed the assessments for each property, checking locations, grades, condition, and topography for each property.

The next step for the property owner (if you have questions) is to informally discuss the new assessments with a representative from NEMC. In this process, you, the property owner or your representative, can sit and discuss the new assessment, the reasoning behind it, and the data used to arrive at the new assessment. The key to the process is a discussion of fair market value. Vermont law states that all taxable property in the State be appraised at fair market value and be listed at 100% of that value. Fair market value can best be described as the value you might reasonably expect to receive upon the sale of your
property in a fair, considered transaction.

The proposed 2025 assessment (see above) is an indication of the market value of your property as of April 1, 2025. Please be aware that there are only three ways to change your new assessment.

1. The new assessment is not a fair indicator of market value. Simply, you feel your property is not worth what the new assessment has been set at.

2. The property is not fairly assessed when compared to other similar properties. When you compare your property to a reasonably similar property, in a similar location, you should see that the assessments are similar.

3. There may be data errors in your record. You can get a copy of your record at the hearing, on the
Town’s website www.brightonvt.gov or by calling (802) 723-4405.

If you feel that the proposed assessment is not a fair indication of market value for your property, you can schedule an informal discussion with NEMC representatives. You will be given the opportunity at that time to present information to potentially adjust your assessment. You should be prepared to compare your property to other similar homes, bring data about the condition of your house or land, or bring any appraisals, assessments or sale documents you may have. The process is meant to be informal and informative. The goal is to have fair and equitable property assessments for all. Please be aware that the assessments are proposed and subject to change based on information gathered prior to the issuance of the Abstract Grand List.

All valuations are also posted on the Town’s website www.brightonvt.gov. Click on REASSESSMENT INFORMATION and follow the link to develop sales and assessment comparatives for your discussion with NEMC. You will also find a booklet that can be downloaded with all proposed and prior assessments listed. You may also contact the Town Offices for a booklet if you are unable to access the information through the website.

Each discussion will be scheduled for 10-15 minutes. You will be provided with a copy of your new property record card. NEMC representatives will make notes and view the property later if needed. You will be notified of any change through the grievance notice you receive in June.

The informal discussions will be held on May 22, 23, and 24, 2025 at the Brighton Town Offices, 49 Mill Street Ext. in Brighton. Daytime and evening hours will be available. Please email the Town Clerk at Asstclerk@BrightonVT.gov or call (802) 723-4405.Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. to
set up an appointment. If needed, please leave a message and your call will be returned.

The mailing address is

Assessor’s Office
Town of Brighton
P.O. Box 377
Island Pond, VT 05846

All information must be received by May 24, 2024 to be considered in this informal phase.

The Assessor, Selectboard and NEMC thank the property owners of the Town of Brighton for the cooperation shown throughout this project.

Sincerely yours,
Brighton Assessor’s Office

The election results for Brighton’s Annual Town Meeting are now available. (Note: This is a multi-page document. Please scroll to the bottom of the first page and click the arrows to navigate.)

2024 Annual Town Report

The 2024 Annual Town Report is now available.  Printed copies are available at town hall and the library or you can view it at https://brightonvt.org/wp-content/uploads/flipbook/6/book.html

It is also available under the Town Reports Section when you click on Government above.

The State of Vermont requires that all municipalities complete a Service Line Inventory by October 2024. You can find more information and a link to the results on our Town of Brighton Water/Sewer page.

If you wish to join any Town Department meeting virtually, click this link.

To better serve our community and comply with the new Open Meeting Law  effective July 1st, 2024, the Town of Brighton has launched its very own YouTube channel!

Stay informed and engaged with all the latest updates from our town’s boards and commissions. Click the link below to be directed to our channel and never miss important announcements or meetings. Join us on this digital journey and be a part of Brighton’s vibrant future!

https://meetings.brightonvt.gov

Together, let’s make our community stronger and more connected than ever!

Brighton, and the village of Island Pond, is nestled in the mountains of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. A year-round destination for stunning scenery and outdoor recreation, Brighton is a great place to visit and an even better place to call home.  Our community has a long, proud history – and an exciting future.