The Plaistow Selectmen are facing an urgent decision regarding assessing services after the town's long-time provider, Corcoran Consulting Associates, announced they would cease operations effective February 11, 2025. During a recent meeting, officials discussed the need to quickly address this gap in services, as the town prepares for a full revaluation in 2026.

In response to Corcoran's departure, the Selectmen issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for assessing services, aiming to secure a new provider. However, the response has been limited; only one proposal was received, as many firms are currently overwhelmed with existing commitments. The Selectmen had hoped for at least two proposals but were met with challenges due to the broader market situation, where many towns are scrambling for assessing services.

The proposal on the table includes day-to-day operational support, which would involve staffing the office to handle inquiries and manage routine tasks such as building permits. Additionally, the proposal outlines plans for a statistical update in 2025 and the full revaluation in 2026. The town's current assessment ratio is significantly below the recommended range, prompting the need for these updates to ensure fair property valuations.

Selectmen expressed confidence that the costs associated with the day-to-day services could be absorbed within the current budget. They are considering whether to accept the proposal in full or focus solely on the immediate operational needs. The decision is expected to be made soon, as the town must secure a new provider to maintain essential assessing functions and prepare for upcoming evaluations.