GREENE – Town employees have had some small setbacks in issuing the 5 percent property tax refunds given to residents who submit full tax payment by Aug. 1.
Mortgage companies have been meeting escrow terms by paying residents’ taxes in lump sums accompanied with a list of taxpayers who are covered. However, according to town employees, most lenders are not figuring in the tax discount, even though it is printed on the bill twice.
Town Manager Charlie Noonan said this costs the town money by forcing town employees go over the numbers to figure out the discount for everyone on the lists and then paying for the postage to mail out the rebates.
Town officials considered mailing the checks back to the mortgage companies to address the issue, but realized that doing so would cause the taxpayers on the list to miss the August deadline. The issue will be readdressed during next year’s town meeting in hopes of helping to remedy the problem.
The cutoff for the tax discount is 8 p.m. Aug. 1. Selectmen urge taxpayers who are interested in setting up a payment plan to come in and discuss the options.
In other business, after seeking bids for an International truck to help spread the plowing duties in town, selectmen awarded the bid to Morrison & Sylvester of Auburn for $55,936.10. The town appropriated $90,000 for a truck, sander, hopper and plow. Morrison & Sylvester’s quote was approximately $6,000 over the allotted amount, forcing the town to hold a special town meeting at 7 p.m. July 25 to ask voters to appropriate the difference or seek other modes of payment.
Road Commissioner Bruce Tufts, backed by selectmen, agreed that although not the lowest bid, the Auburn company would be awarded the bid based on a reliable past experience and the convenience of having a local dealer in case of emergency or maintenance issues.
After a lengthy time and numerous potholes, Noonan said the state Department of Transportation and the railroad are both on board to help fix the recurring issue around all of the town’s railroad crossings.
“Every time the train goes by it rattles the rails causing the roads to fall apart,” Tufts said. “They’re talking about going in and putting in the right expansion rails to stop that from happening.” Noonan meets with both parties Wednesday.
The three crossings occur on College, Sprague Mill and Sawyer roads. Sawyer Road is maintained by the state, and although the DOT has told Noonan that it may not be budgeted this year, it was on their list of issues to address.
There will be a benefit barbecue from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Volunteer Fire Station. All proceeds will go to the fire department.
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