The town manager says new house construction could lessen the spike.
By Jim Smedley
Staff Writer

GREENWOOD – The proposed municipal budget shows a 32 percent increase over the past year with several large-ticket items driving the hike.

The budget, if approved by voters at town meeting, may climb $272,000 above the $830,052 of last year.

The estimated school maintenance tax is also up $35,000 to $610,756 and county tax is up $3,532 to $57,331.

Town Manager Carol Whitman said that the tax burden could be softened by the fact that 40 new homes had been built in the town over the past year.

“If you estimate their value at $100,000 each, that could mean $4 million more in tax valuation,” Whitman said.

At the town’s mill rate of 17.97, there could be about $72,000 more in tax revenue.

The largest amount the voters will be asked to approve is $125,000 for repairs to the Alder River dam. Whitman said the 10 would take a 10-year loan with the Maine Municipal Bond Bank in the fall. The town would have to borrow the full amount on a short term loan prior to that and then repay that loan with the bond.

They also are going to be asked to approve $59,763 for a new plow truck. That amount will be bonded over five years and the first year payment is estimated at $18,000.

There are also sharp increases in the highway maintenance and wages, $25,000, and solid waste, $24,000.

Whitman said about $6,000 of the highway fund increase is for wages. She said solid waste is up because increased expenses from the hauler overdrew the account by about $13,000.

Whitman said $25,000 is planned to be put into a reserve account to pay for a revaluation in three years.

“Last year we were at 92 percent of state valuation, but I think we’ll drop this year,” Whitman said. “It’s so ungodly ridiculous what things are selling for these days.”

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