NORWAY – Town officials have discussed holding a special public forum on the Palesky tax cap but will wait a few more weeks before making a final decision.

“I think what we’ll do at this point is encourage people to go to the chamber’s debate,” Town Manager David Holt said Monday, referring to an Oct. 21 event scheduled by the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce. “The good news about the chamber’s event is you get both sides.”

Holt said he is concerned about holding a public forum with no one to represent the pro-tax-cap contingent. However, if the Norway Board of Selectmen thinks it is appropriate to hold a tax-cap forum after the debate, one will be scheduled before the November referendum.

This will be discussed at an Oct. 28 selectmen’s meeting, Holt said.

The Palesky initiative seeks to impose a 1 percent property tax cap – a rate of $10 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation – based on values in 1996-97.

Like many municipal officials across the state, Holt has said he does not support the cap because he believes it will cripple town government. Under the tax cap, he has said, Norway’s current budget of $5.9 million could be reduced by as much as $2 million. This could mean drastic cuts in town services, he has said.

Holt’s estimate on the tax-cap cuts is based on current property valuation because state lawmakers are not expected to approve the proposed rollback.

Leslie Flanders, chairman of the Norway Board of Selectmen, said last week the town may have to hold a forum in addition to the chamber event.

“That’s the only way we know of reaching voters and letting them know what they are voting for. Some people don’t understand what impact the vote will have,” he said.

Selectman Bill Damon, who has been very concerned about reaching the public on this matter, said he would like to see a town forum held.

“If that passes I see a real problem. People aren’t going to get the support and services they’re entitled to out of the town office,” he said.