NEWRY – After meeting with Michael Austin and Donna Hays of Maine Equalization Consultants on Monday, the selectmen agreed that it’s time for the town to undergo its second property revaluation in the past eight years.

The selectmen decided that they will take the issue to the voters at town meeting next March.

“I don’t see any way around it,” said board Chairman Steve Wight, “We’ll have to ask the people next March if they will support another revaluation.”

According to Hays, Newry’s residential property values do not conform to state laws.

“Your residential properties are valued at this time at 66 percent of market value and state law requires them to be 70 percent or more,” said Hays.

“Your valuation on time shares and condos are well above 70 percent of market value, however. Condos are at 104 percent and time shares at 90 percent, so your residential values need to be brought in line and your assessments equalized,” she said

They said the town could lose out on money from the state if it didn’t comply.

“The state could withhold state reimbursements and affect tree growth money,” Austin advised. “I’d like to say there is an easy fix, but unfortunately there is none. Sometimes we can tweak the figures, but most of the time that doesn’t work and can make things worse. The only way to fix this is with a full revaluation.”

Asked about the cost, Hays said, “An estimate would be around $55,000 or about what it cost before, but we can have a more exact figure for you right away if you feel this needs to be done.”

The last revaluation was done during 1996 and 1997.

In other business, the board approved a request by Assistant Fire Chief Bruce Pierce to have the dry-hydrants cleared by the plowing contractors hired each year.

Pierce told the board that a new subdivision is going in off Monkey Brook Road, a dry-hydrant being planned there will need to be cleared of snow and developer Ron Kendall has said he would not be responsible for keeping it clear. He has said that he will have a 30,000-gallon pond dug, will see that the hydrant is installed and will maintain both pond and the hydrant.

The selectmen were somewhat concerned about keeping a hydrant cleared of snow on private property, but Pierce explained that the hydrant will be located within the town right of way. The board then agreed to have the plowing contractors clear snow away from hydrants located on a town way.

“We don’t want to clear snow away from everyone’s hydrants,” said Wight, “but as long as they’re in the town way, I see no problem with it.”

The rest of the board agreed and the vote to approve the request was unanimous.

A liquor and restaurant license was approved for a new restaurant being built in the Sunday River section of town. According to managing partner Phil Everett, it will be a two-story restaurant with a 250-seat dining area and a 120-seat lounge. It also will be designated no-smoking establishment. The license application now will go to the state for final approval.

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