At the Rumford town meeting on June 6, an article to increase the property tax levy by $120,000 was voted on by a show of hands, an action which was later found to be illegal.

Residents will have a chance to vote on the article by secret ballot at a special town meeting on July 18 at the town hall auditorium.

At the June meeting, voters approved $120,000 more than Maine allows Rumford to raise under the L.D. 1 formula designed to reduce property taxes. Voting to raise more than the property tax levy must be done by secret ballot, under a new state law, instead of a show of hands.

I am hoping for a large turnout of residents to cast ballots to express feelings on this additional tax.

J. Richard Shea, Rumford