Billerica Assessors Approve $275,000 Overlay Release for Town Legal Costs

BILLERICA — April 17, 2025 — Billerica assessors vote to release $275,000 from overlay account to help pay town legal costs. The Board of Assessors voted unanimously April 17 to transfer $275,000 from the overlay reserve into overlay surplus at the request of the Town Manager, who sought the funds to pay a law firm currently assisting the town. Principal Assessor John Speidel said the account held more than $6 million against roughly $3 million in outstanding abatement and exemption liability — and that an additional $2.7 million was expected to be deposited — providing sufficient cushion for the release. The three-member board, which included Associate Assessor Rick Ladd in person and Associate Assessor Richard Scanlon by phone, then entered executive session to discuss 2025 Appellate Tax Board cases, exemptions, and abatement applications with no return to open session.