LIVERMORE – The town’s Budget Committee has recommended $2,688,804 as the proposed budget for 2004-05. This includes $1,651,064 as payment to SAD 36, $152,546 for county tax and $885,195 for the municipal appropriation.

The selectpersons’ recommendation is slightly different: It includes an extra $10,000 each for the highway budget and cemeteries and an additional $3,136 for the recreation field.

Administrative Assistant Kurt Schaub said the Budget Committee’s proposal is an 8.67 percent increase from last year, primarily because of an additional $100,000 for the highway capital improvement account and a $95,000 increase for schools.

Schaub said that, in spite of the increase, he believes the town’s tax rate will go down with implementation of the revaluation program later in the year, as property taxes will be raised to market values.

He explained that current town values are tied to 1988 levels, with no adjustment for appreciation.

For example, presently a one-acre developed parcel (includes well and septic system) is valued at $10,000. That will surely increase as the cost of installing a well and septic system often exceeds $10,000.

Waterfront values are also behind the market value. Newly subdivided lots on Long Pond are selling for two and a half to three times their assessed value.

“Overall, I would not be surprised to see a total town valuation growth in the vicinity of 25 percent, well in excess of the proposed spending increase, which leaves ample room for a reduction in the tax rate,” he said.

In his report, Code Officer Richard Marble said he had issued 12 permits for new homes from April 27, 2003, to April 27, 2004, for a total of $1,205,000. The average price of a new home was $100,461.

Schaub reported that the Cemetery Committee accepted a low bid of $9,000 for lawn and grounds maintenance of the town’s cemeteries. It was submitted by M & K Lawncare Plus of Wayne.

He also met recently with Jay and Livermore Falls officials about an erosion problem at the Spruce Mountain Ski Area. He said further study will be done relative to the towns helping solve the problem.

Schaub said he checked again with Heath Cowan, project manager at the Maine Department of Transportation, for an update on the Route 4 work. The project is now due to go out to bid in July, which most likely means no work will be done this year. Cowan reported the holdup was due to right-of-way personnel being shifted to a project in Camden.

Copy the Story Link