TURNER – This rural community would have to cut more than half of its annual tax collections, about $2.8 million, if a proposed 1 percent property tax cap is approved by voters, according to Town Manager Jim Catlin.
“I caution the town and all of its citizens to look very carefully at these property tax proposals in November,” Catlin said. “This will cut more than half of our total budget of $4.4 million that goes to schools, the county and the municipality.”
The town pays 15.3 mills of the total 17.4 mills raised to support schools. Another 1.4 mills go to the county and .70 to fund municipal government.
“We need property tax relief, but I caution everyone to make an informed decision when you go to the polls,” Catlin said.
Catlin made the report to selectmen for purposes of information, he said, and had no further information on other proposals that may come.
In other business, the board appointed four new members and an alternate to the Leavitt Institute Board. Six candidates had made out applications to serve. The selectmen appointed Joan Ricker, who is the head of the Turner History Rooms, which will be moving into the building; Don Prince, Jane Longway and John Zocchi, who represent the Turner Public Library that is housed in the building. Joan Bryant Deschenes was appointed as an alternate. Jerry Dubois, who just finished a term on the SAD 52 board, was the only candidate not appointed.
Selectmen also appointed Sherm Varney to serve on the Board of Appeals, filling the vacancy created when Dennis Richardson was elected as a selectman at town meeting on April 2.
Selectmen also:
• Signed a contract with the Androscoggin Sheriff’s Department for dispatch services for fire and rescue at $17 per call and $17 per month for administration.
• Approved a liquor license and auxiliary liquor license for Eli’s Restaurant and the Snack Shack, which provides services at the Turner Highlands golf course.
• Rescheduled the May selectmen’s meetings to May 10 and May 24.
• Elected Lori Fish as the new chairwoman of the board and Jennifer Wadsworth as vice chairwoman.
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