DIXFIELD – After discussing a proposed 90-cent tax increase, selectmen at Monday night’s meeting chose instead to let voters decide.

The board scheduled a special town meeting to be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17, in the Ludden Memorial Library community room.

One warrant article asks if the town will authorize municipal officers to use up to $97,000 in undesignated funds to reduce the tax rate for the 2004-05 fiscal year.

Other articles seek to change the first date that taxes are due, from Sept. 15 to Sept. 22, 2004, and to change the date that interest charges begin, from Sept. 16 to Sept. 23, 2004.

During the tax rate discussion, Town Manager Nanci Allard said she proposed that selectmen take $40,000 from surplus to keep her recommended increase at 90 cents per $1,000 of valuation.

“It would have level-funded the town at equal to the school increase,” Allard said Tuesday afternoon.

But a majority of selectmen sought instead to take up to $97,000 out of surplus to keep intact last year’s rate of $26 per $1,000 valuation.

Allard said Dixfield currently has an undesignated fund balance of $850,000.

In other business, the board established a Hiring Committee consisting of Selectmen Stephen Donahue and Tony Carter, Allard, and residents Kenny Robbins and Dale Carlton. They are to review resumes of eight people seeking the open Public Works director position.

After a selectmen’s workshop session with the Water Department at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17, the committee is to meet at 6 p.m. to decide whom to interview for the position.

Fire Chief Scott Blaisdell advised selectmen about a problem with the department’s 1952 pumper truck. Its 250-gallon water tank is leaking. Blaisdell said Tuesday afternoon that firefighters intend to remove the tank and inspect it for rot or damages.If the leak is minimal, they intend to have it patched. The pumper is due to be replaced in four years.

The board established a Road Advisory Committee consisting of Sandy Buchanan, Tony Bucci, Steve Fuller and Carlton. They are tasked with examining Dixfield roads, then establishing a capital improvement plan and prioritizing road work needs.

A request to discontinue the Valley Road failed when none of the selectmen would not make a motion to have the discontinuance placed on the table for discussion, Allard said.

Additionally, Allard was given permission to re-apply for a grant to construct a sidewalk from Coburn Avenue to Dirigo Middle School.