DIXFIELD – Residents at a three-hour annual town meeting on Thursday raised $1,865,756 for operation of the town for the fiscal year beginning July 1. It is an increase of about 7.5 percent.
They also voted to pass over a request for the town to take ownership of the historic Holman Homestead on the Common Road. Slightly less than 100 people attended the town meeting.
Major increases were the results of higher insurance premiums and fuel costs, plans to rebuild portions of Coolidge, Holt Hill and Common roads for about $150,000, and $30,000 toward a revaluation of taxable property in 2007.
Fewer dollars were raised for Ludden Memorial Library, which was down about $6,000, and for the River Valley Growth Council, whose request was $4,000 lower this year than last. Also, $30,000 raised last year for comprehensive plan work was not needed again this year.
Voters also agreed to raise $7,550 from surplus for the repointing of the brick work at the Dixfield fire station. They turned down a request by the public works department to spend $62,000 from surplus for a new grader.
An overwhelming majority of residents at the meeting voted to pass over an article, on a motion by selectmen Chairman Eugene Skibitsky, that would have turned over ownership of the Holman Homestead to the town.
The offer was made verbally by Peter Holman, a descendant of one of the town’s early settlers. The home was built about 1803.
The article had also included taking $7,000 from the Ione Harlow Dixfield Community Fund to make necessary repairs.
If the offer is made in writing, selectmen may hold a special town meeting to reconsider the matter, Skibitsky had said prior to the meeting.
Other action included re-election of Bettina Martin and Anthony S. Bucci Jr. to the Finance Committee, leaving one vacancy; Joanne Weston to the Ione Harlow Scholarship Committee; and Carol Bernard and Peggy Cannon to the Board of Trustees for Ludden Memorial Library, leaving one two-year term vacant.
Tax rates will be set in late July or early August. The first payment will be due without penalty by Sept. 15, and the second, by April 15. All late payments will be assessed a 7.75 percent annual interest rate.
The town’s current tax rate is $26 per $1,000 valuation.
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