WOODSTOCK – Hearings for residents to discuss changes in their property valuations went well Tuesday, Town Manager Vern Maxfield told selectmen.

“We haven’t had as many people request hearings yet as we had after our last reval in 1998, but those that did come in today asked good questions and were happy with the responses they received,” he said.

Maxfield said the hearings will continue through Thursday, “and there are appointment times available for those who are interested. All they have to do is give us a call at the office and we will give them a time.”

The purpose of the hearings is to allow people a chance to question changes in their property valuations since 1998.

The revaluation was conducted by John E. O’Donnell & Associates of New Gloucester, to bring the town into compliance with state guidelines.

Maxfield said the tax rate will be set after the hearings are complete, and tax bills will be sent out by the middle of this month.

In other business, selectmen voted unanimously to honor a request by David and Merry Childs to install a granite bench in the Lakeside Cemetery in Bryant Pond in memory of Merry Childs’ parents. The bench will be set on a solid foundation and be close to the shore of Lake Christopher.

Before taking the vote, Selectman Leon Poland said, “I think the bench will be a great benefit to the cemetery. Visitors can sit by the shore of the lake and enjoy the view while they remember their loved ones.”

Selectmen unanimously approved a request by Fire Chief Geff Inman to allow the department to use a town building on Railroad Street for training.

As explained by Maxfield, the plan will be to use the building for simulated smoke training and other fire-related situations.