The town’s increased property values and its spending increases may result in higher taxes for many people.
By Winslow Durgin
Special to the Sun-Journal

MINOT – Selectmen Monday night set the 2003 property tax rate at 16.5 mils.

Although the rate is down from last year’s 23.3 mils, that doesn’t mean taxes are going down. Rather, the new rate reflects a recently completed townwide property revaluation. Selectmen noted that, while the rate is down, valuations rose significantly and, very likely, most people’s taxes will be higher.

Giving background for her rate recommendations to the full board, Selectman Eda Tripp pointed out that in March’s town meeting voters had approved a large increase over the previous year’s spending. The county tax was up more than $17,000, and $180,000 more was raised for schools. The town side of the budget was up $71,000, compared with the previous year.

Tripp noted that appropriations have risen substantially in the past two years, and this year’s total was nearly $600,000 higher than two years ago.

“For anyone who is upset with their tax bill, I offer a personal invitation to them to attend next March town meeting,” said Selectman Dean Campbell.

In other business, during a meeting with Code Enforcement Officer Ken Pratt, selectmen were advised that enforcement action concerning the Jeannette Bryer, Michael Hill and Sharon Maheux properties all are in the hands of the town’s attorney.

Pratt reported that Jack Conway is preparing paperwork for the condemnation of the Bryer property in West Minot, that Conway was waiting for more information from Hill’s attorney and that Maheux has received the third and final citation on her violations.

Selectman George “Buster” Downing read a letter from Frank D’Agostino, School Union 29 support services director, detailing the school’s efforts to remove a slash pile left from logging operations adjacent to the Minot Consolidated School.

Downing noted that there is a good possibility of burning the slash pile on-site. Fire chief Steve French said that, given the proper precautions, the brush pile could be burned. French noted that he had been approached about stationing a firetruck at the site, but said that he was reluctant to do so.

According to Downing, plans are still preliminary, but it appeared this was the school’s latest option.

Noting that snow season is not far off, Campbell suggested that the board give D’Agostino a Nov. 10 deadline for removing the brush.

“If it hasn’t been taken care of by Nov. 10, then we’ll have to go in with a plan of our own,” said Campbell.

Selectmen also approved an agreement with the Maine Department of Transportation to sell a sliver of land at the top of Jackson Hill Road for the planned reconstruction of the road, and they approved a policy governing the town’s fixed assets.

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