Flood Plains, Insurance & Taxes

Recently I met with Andy Bobola, Director of Inspectional Services, and Kathleen Costello, Principal Assessor for Mattapoisett, to learn more about the ongoing debate and problems with the Federal Emergency Management Agency flood plain maps and rising flood insurance rates.

It was brought to my attention earlier in the week that Marshfield was holding a public meeting, and that January 18 was being touted as State Wide Real Estate Abatement/Flood Insurance Information day. Here is what a press release stated: “January 18th will be the Massachusetts Coastal Coalitions State Wide Abatement day. The goal is to focus on only those policies that are $5000 or more, and/or have gone up 100%. The reason for the amount is to show that the homeowner has been significantly aggrieved, and to make a statement on the larger insurance increases.”

A news article in the January 14 issue of the Patriot Ledger reads in part: “Members of the Massachusetts Coastal Coalition hope a wave of property tax abatement applications will send a clear message about the thousands of homeowners who have been significantly aggrieved by rising flood insurance costs.” It goes on to describe how the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act, which eliminated flood insurance subsidies for homes built before the creation of flood maps, caused premiums to soar. The act started phasing into effect this year, it goes on to say, with FEMA’s release of new flood maps. These new maps expanded flood plains and raised water elevations, impacting thousands more are now pushed to purchase expensive flood insurance.

The coalition believes the cause and effect of rising flood insurance rates is the lowering of coastal property values because homes won’t sell in those locations. Given that scenario, let the abatement applications begin.

However, back home in Mattapoisett, our town hall departments have been actively pursuing what they believe is a more productive course of action – imploring the legislature to work for the people.

Both Bobola and Costello have been meeting with their counterparts in other cities and towns, attending their association meetings and building consensus across the region that will hopefully aid in affecting change through the house and senate.

Costello said, “I am mandated by the [Department of Revenue] to use 6/30/11 through 7/1/13 sales values” to set tax rates. She said she had no latitude or authority to lower a resident’s tax rate other than those rules set by the state. She explained that assessors are always ‘looking back,’ not at the present or future condition of real estate or transactions, therefore values can’t be dropped until the numbers prove that out and within the prescribed dates in time established by the DOR. “Tons of work [will be put on] principal assessors which is going to lead no where,” Bobola emphasized.

For his part, Bobola has attended the Buzzards Bay Action Committee, orchestrating through his network the guest speaker Richard Zingarelli, regional National Flood Insurance Program coordinator, at the October meeting. In attendance were local officials from the surrounding towns, building officials, town officials, and various other town staff members representing Wareham, Bourne, Dartmouth, New Bedford, Acushnet, Fairhaven, Marion and Mattapoisett. During his hour long presentation, Zingarelli explained the Biggert-Waters Act.             This act has so seriously impacted the NFIP that citizens, citizen groups and municipal associations have mobilized in an effort to get it postponed. For a truly insightful explanation, you may view the video clip of Zingarelli’s presentation at Buzzards Bay Action Committee’s web site, www.buzzardsbayaction.org, from the home page you can easily navigate to the clip. I found it informative, scary, and necessary.

Costello said that she recently attended a meeting of the organization with which she is affiliated, the Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officials. At the most recent breakfast meeting, she was heartened to see a member of William Straus’ office in attendance. “That tells me he gets it,“ she stated. She went on to say that this organization has been watching and working on this issue for over a year. She said everyone needs to lobby their legislators to postpone implementation of the act until a comprehensive nationwide study can be completed.

Costello explained that if coastal real estate values ultimately decrease because home sales decrease that will only push the insurance and tax increase pain into the uplands. In the end, everyone will be impacted by the disruption in federally subsidized flood insurance, she explained.

Mattapoisett’s Flood Plan Advisory Committee has just begun. They recently held their first meeting since being organized. Their role will be to work closely with all other coastal community committees, to lobby legislators for a postponement, and to keep the public informed. They cannot, however, effect change: They can only work in tandem with other community groups to pressure state and federal officials on behalf of the towns they represent.

Mattapoisett’s Flood Plain Advisory Committee will meet on February 6 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm in the town hall. Bobola and Costello both urge the public to attend this meeting. Residents can also contact Zingarelli directly at Richard.Zingarelli@state.ma.us or 617-626-1406.

By Marilou Newell

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