NEWRY – Selectmen set the tax rate Monday at $13.15, up 35 cents from last year.

The unanimous vote came after discussion of a state report recommending a minimum tax rate of between $13.04 and $13.69. Selectmen decided to set the rate a low as possible and still provide for unforeseen expenses.

Administrative Assistant Loretta Berry told the board a rate of $13.15 per $1,000 of assessed property value would give the town an extra $22,643.

“That should be enough to protect us if we have expenses arise that we didn’t expect,” board Chairman Steve Wight said.

The board signed a contract with Mike Austin and Donna Hays for a townwide property revaluation, to be completed by next summer. Wight said the town would be responsible for $43,152, which will be covered by $55,000 approved by voters last March.

Berry announced she has received a check from the Maine Municipal Association for $712 as reimbursement for the town’s workers compensation insurance.

“We get a refund every year if no one gets hurt,” she said.

The refund will be put in the insurance account.