PERU – More than 20 Worthley Pond residents packed the small town office meeting room Monday night to complain to selectmen about property taxes.
The tax rate of $15.3 per $1,000 of assessed value, which was set last week by selectmen, caused taxes on several waterfront properties to double. The bills were mailed Friday and are due to be paid by Oct. 1.
Residents raised concerns about interest that would be charged if they couldn’t pay in a month.
Most of the people present were full-time residents who have lived on the pond for many years. Some said they could not come up with the additional funds and feared losing their homes. One summer resident said she lives on the pond three months of the year and was paying more taxes than on her large residence in another town.
More complaints came from pond residents who said they received no services and the road around the pond was in a terrible condition.
The main concern was that they had received no prior notice on taxes increasing so much.
Town Clerk Vera Parent said the town needs much more money than last year because the state is funding only part of the Homestead Exemption, and because and the school costs are $200,000 more than last year.
Most people realized the need for the additional funds after Parent reviewed the budget, but still wanted an extension on payments before receiving penalties.
Board of Selectmen Chairman Andy St. Pierre said that if he had realized the increase would be so substantial, he would have called for a public hearing.
After listening to the residents for an hour, the board voted to hold a special town meeting Sept. 19 to vote on extending tax payments. The board will decide on the warrant at its next meeting Sept. 6.
In other news, Code Enforcement Officer Mike Boyd announced that he is resigning. The town will be seeking a replacement as well as a certified animal control officer.
Comments are no longer available on this story