WOODSTOCK – After meeting with Mike O’Donnell of O’Donnell Associates of Auburn last Thursday, selectmen made final plans for the commitment of the town’s 2004 taxes.

“Letters announcing the new values from this years revaluation will be sent out by August 26, which will notify property owners of their new property values,” said Town Manager Vern Maxfield.

“Those letters will also ask them to call the town office to schedule a hearing if they want to question changes in their valuation,” he added.

Maxfield said the hearings will be scheduled for three days running from Sept. 7 to Sept. 9. The schedule on those days will be 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Sept. 7 and from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on both Sept. 8 and Sept. 9.

Following the conclusion of the hearings, the 2004 tax rate will be set and the tax bills will be sent out on Sept. 14.

“This is about five weeks later than usual,” said Maxfield, “as we usually send out tax bills the first of August. We expected the bills would be late, however, because we had to wait until the reval program was complete and the hearings could be held.”

The new property values will bring the town’s tax base in compliance with state guidelines so the town can continue to receive state reimbursements and grants.

In other business, selectmen approved the fire department’s choice of officers for the coming year.

The officers approved were: Chief Geff Inman, First Assistant Ken Koskala, Second Assistant Randy Eastman, Capt. David Bobbe, and Lt. Donald Hoyt.

Inman replaces longtime Chief Bill Seames who will remain a member of the department but decided to turn the leadership over to new hands.