TURNER – Selectmen on Monday set the property tax rate at $13.35, 80 cents lower than last year.
The board looked at a total taxable valuation base of $324,771,041, minus homestead exemptions. The approved rate of taxation will support appropriations of $6,166,347 for the fiscal year.
In other action, selectmen heard from Bear Pond Improvement Association President Mary Wallace that nonresidents are causing erosion, vandalism, littering, parking, animal waste and over-crowding issues at the town beach. Vice President Richard Bray concurred, citing serious beach erosion problems due to overuse.
Town Manager James Catlin said the town has owned the beach since 1998 when it designated use by residents of Turner only, and their guests. He said he has done spot checks at the beach and found that on most hot days more than half of the people using the beach are from out of town.
Town Clerk Eva Leavitt supported that figure from her periodic surveys.
The association spokesmen said they were at the meeting to seek help in monitoring the situation, hoping to find ways to limit use of the beach to town residents.
Selectmen considered several possible methods, and Catlin will pull those together in formal fashion for the board to consider at its next meeting.
Due to expected absences of at least two members, the next meeting of the board will be on Aug. 22.
Selectmen are soliciting candidates for appointment to the SAD 52 Board of Directors after Adam Schenck resigned Monday because he is moving.
Selectmen will appoint a Turner resident to serve until elections next April.
Selectman Ralph Caldwell read from a notification received from the state Department of Environmental Protection that a junkyard at Jordan’s on Snell Hill Road is in compliance and is now considered approved.
Approval was given for $9,000 to be appropriated for continued updates in town mapping.
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