PERU – Selectmen held a work session Monday night with Road Commissioner David Gammon before their regular meeting.
They discussed the long-range road maintenance plan for the town to determine which projects had been completed and how the plan might need to be revised. Concerned residents will have an opportunity to advise the selectmen before a revision plan is completed. The consensus of those present was that townspeople are pleased with the progress made on improving the roads in Peru and would probably approve additional funds to hasten completion of planned projects.
Michael E. Rogers, property appraiser for the Maine Revenue Services Property Tax Division, explained to the board how the state calculated the ratio of the town’s appraised value to the state valuation. State valuation, rather than the town’s own tax valuation, is used for calculating most fees and reimbursements for the town. Towns are penalized if their valuation deviates excessively from the state valuation. Former Selectman James Pulsifer sat in on this meeting in order to share his long experience with tax valuation and his knowledge of town history with the current selectmen.
Last year, before the recent revaluation of property in Peru, non-waterfront property was valued at 81 percent of the state valuation and waterfront property was evaluated at 52 percent of the state valuation. Selectmen are considering increasing valuation on all buildings and non-waterfront land by 10 percent next year. This year, waterfront property valuations were doubled. Rogers indicated that he felt these changes would bring Peru property valuations very close to true market values.
After Rogers’ presentation and the after discussion, the town dropped its plan to appeal the state valuation.
In other business, Pat Gaudin has asked for permission to hunt and trap on town land. While the selectmen realized that many people use town land without seeking permission, they felt trapping might present some unusual liability issues. They will get a ruling from their insurance carrier before responding to Gaudin.
The state is designing a boat launching area for Worthley Pond. Concern was expressed that some vocal abutters were unduly influencing the state design. While they agreed that these few do not speak for the town, the selectmen felt they should not get involved.
The old furnace at the Peru Fire Department has failed and will be replaced by a new $3,000 hot air unit.
Comments are no longer available on this story