Properties to be photographed for updated value assessment

LYNN – The minivan with roof-mounted cameras cruising slowly down local streets during the next two weeks is one of the tools city property tax officials are using to compile current and accurate property assessments.City Assessing Director Peter Caron said the camera-equipped van owned by London, Ontario-based company ILookAbout is photographing 20,000 Lynn properties and the photographs will be added to other information available to assessors to compute current market values for local properties.ILookAbout will travel starting Monday throughout Lynn, moving slowly down local streets and snapping photographs every 15 feet.?This basically allows us to see three sides of each building,” Caron said.The city is required under state law to stay current on the full and fair market value of local properties for tax assessment purposes. Caron said the ILookAbout photographs can be compared to local property photos taken 10 years ago to determine if any improvements have made been to properties.Caron said state officials require local assessing departments to periodically update property photographs.?We assess based on data we collect. We want it to be up to date. It?s important because if I have up-to-date pictures, I don?t have to get in a car and drive out and check a property,” Caron said.The city is paying the Canadian firm $15,000 to update property photo records.Police said if anyone is approached by an individual or individuals claiming to be from the Assessor?s Office or “ILookAbout” and asking for access to your property or residence, residents should ask for identification and immediately call Lynn Police at 781-595-2000.Cyrus Moulton of The Daily Item staff contributed to this report.