NEW GLOUCESTER – Taxpayers will be notified about the new valuation figures on their properties in a letter in February, Assessor’s Agent Nancy Pinette told selectmen Monday.

The townwide valuation to equalize taxes on all property is near completion, Pinette said.

Last year, voters authorized selectmen to begin the valuation project that brings assessment values up to par with market value based on state law requirements. New Gloucester’s last full valuation was performed in 1990.

The new values will be reflected in tax bills sent in the fall of 2004.

The new values will be part of the 2004-05 tax year.

Exterior reviews will be conducted on each property in the next two to three months with the assistance of Chris Martin, a certified Maine assessor, said Pinette.

Hearings on the new values will take place the last week in February with the help of O’Donnell Associates, which has been assisting in the project.

Pinette said she expects roughly 10 percent of the public will request a review, about 280 appointments.

In other business, Town Manager Rosemary Kulow will meet with department heads in hopes to plan for short-term, intermediate and long-term planning for the town, to help with financial planning and specific goal setting.

Selectmen agreed to prepare a warrant for a special town meeting to include a disbursement warrant, a zoning change dealing with regulations for multiuse commercial buildings in the Residential Commercial district along Route 100.

A hearing on the change is scheduled Dec. 2 by the Planning Board.

No date was set for the special meeting.

Finally, municipal offices will be closed Friday, Dec. 26.

Copy the Story Link