SOMERS — William Schroeder can’t figure out why his property assessment has increased $26,000.

And when he challenged it last month, he said the appraiser refused to look at other comparable properties and would not review photos of his kitchen with no cabinets.

“That’s why I’m here today,” said Schroeder, who was among dozens of town property owners who attended the first of four Board of Review hearings Wednesday night.

The Board of Review is meeting today, Friday and Tuesday, to hear from nearly 100 residents objecting to their recent assessments by Associated Appraisal Consultant Inc.

The high number is attributed to the downturn in the economy and the lack of a revaluation in the town in several years.

Schroeder, who lives at 1195 63rd Ave. in a two-bedroom, 2,146-square-foot single-family home on a .62-acre parcel in the Hawthorne Creek subdivision, said unlike the homes that surround him, his property abuts Highway E, where traffic noise is prevalent.

He played a tape of the noise for the board.

“It’s much louder than this,” he said.

Schroeder then presented the board with pictures showing the quality of the construction for his bathrooms, which have “economy tubs and vanities.” His second of two bedrooms has no closets.

Assessors deemed his total appraisal to be $297,600, an amount he believes should’ve been assessed at $255,000 given the sales of nearby homes. Last year he was assessed at $271,000.

Assessors Ryan Andersen and Mark Brown noted properties with comparable features sold for $290,000 to $340,000 over the last two years, the most recent sales.

But what Schroeder said the assessors did not take into consideration the “economic obsolescence” of the land because of its close proximity to a busy thoroughfare or the interior design — factors which, he said, should bring his value down.

“Why was that not given consideration?” he said.

“As far as location, the sale properties supported land values similar to the subject property,” said Andersen.

After listening to Schroeder’s case for nearly an hour, the board voted 3-0 in favor of Associated Appraisal’s assessment of Schroeder’s property.

Though he was told to keep his statements brief, Schroeder said he was entitled by law to “read into the record” all of his evidence; otherwise he would not be able to present his case in circuit court, yet another option for residents not satisfied with the the board’s decision.

Schroeder tried to retrieve his pictures, but was then told he could not have them back as they would be used as evidence should he pursue his case in court.

“This is what you call a boondoggle. So I can’t have my pictures back? Ever?” he said.

Then he turned to the dozen or so people left in the audience and said, “Good luck.”