Editor, The News:

How much land do we really own?

Although I’ve owned my home in Neshannock Township for 10 years, I recently had the occasion to review a surveyor’s map of my land.

The acreage noted on the map shows 1.65, including an old right of way. However, my deed declares that I am owner of 1.9 acres.

The discrepancy was strange, but even more surprising is that I’ve been paying taxes on 2.3 acres for all these years.

I called the Lawrence County assessor’s office and spoke with a helpful woman named Peggy. She told me they would check the calculations of my property and get back to me.

The next morning I received a call letting me know I did own less than what I’ve been assessed and charged all these years.

“Do I get reimbursed?” I asked. Their policy, I was told, will cover only the past three years.

The correction will reduce my assessed property value by $3,300 and will reduce my taxes as well. Fellow landowners might do well to check their records.

It may help pay for the next couple of tanks of gasoline.

Wendy Simon

Neshannock Township