Mike Waddell, Judith LeBlanc and Adam White: Gorham Board of Selectmen reject Lutter’s allegations

The Gorham select board wishes to respond to the letter submitted by Mark Lutter of Northeast Property Tax Consultants which was published prominently in this paper’s Editorial section on Feb. 2 of this year. Mr. Lutter is what is known as a “tax rep.” A “tax rep” may file abatements and appeals for taxpayers and his fee is usually a percentage of the taxes saved. In his letter, Mr. Lutter makes an extraordinary allegation that the town has overvalued its commercial/industrial properties by as much as 50 percent and that we have done so “intentionally.” The selectmen reject those unfounded allegations.

The State of New Hampshire, oddly, has no appraisal, assessment or real estate qualification requirements for someone acting as a “tax rep” and, in theory, anyone can do it. However, Mr. Lutter is not qualified under state law and regulations to establish real estate value for tax assessment purposes in our state; nor does he meet the qualifications required of or hold a license to be a bona fide real estate appraiser, assessor or real estate agent (this can be confirmed by a search of his name in the New Hampshire License Lookup Portaloplc.nh.gov/licensee-lookup/index.htm).