Riverhead residents face spike in tax bills tied to decadesold error
Homeowners across the area were surprised to see hundreds of dollars added to the portion of their tax bill allocated to the town.
Residents in the Town of Riverhead are experiencing significant increases in their property tax bills this year, and officials say the cause traces back to a costly mistake made nearly two decades ago.
Homeowners across the area, including Bill and Cathy Welsh of, Jamesport, were surprised to see hundreds of dollars added to the portion of their tax bill allocated to the town. After reviewing the charges, the couple found a sharp rise in a specific line item used to fund tax refunds issued by the town.
Last year, that charge totaled $162. This year, it jumped to $419.
“When we got our tax bill, we looked to see why it went up so much,” said Cathy Welsh.
Her husband, Bill, noted the increase comes at a time when many households are already feeling financial strain. “Everything, of course, is costing more, and now this is another stone in the garden that’s really driving things up for us,” he said.
According to the Suffolk County Comptroller, the increase is tied to a $6 million tax refund the Town of Riverhead was ordered to pay to Friar’s Head Golf Club in Baiting Hollow. The ultra-exclusive club successfully sued the town, arguing that its property had been over-assessed between 2008 and 2015.
At the center of the dispute was how the land was valued. The town had assessed portions of the property based on its potential for residential development. However, a court ruled that the property owner had never sought approval to subdivide the land for such use.
As a result, the town must now repay the over-collected taxes—costs that are being passed on to current taxpayers.
For residents like the Welshs, the situation feels unfair.
“We didn’t expect it, and it doesn’t really seem fair,” Cathy Welsh said. She added that concerns about rising tax bills have been widely discussed among members of the local civic association, with many residents expressing frustration over the sudden increases.
Town officials have not yet responded to requests for comment.
