HARTFORD – Selectmen learned Thursday night that the SAD 39 assessment for Hartford will add an estimated $1.75 to the tax rate this year.
Hartford’s rate of $12.70 went to approximately $14.40 per thousand of valuation after the town meeting this year. It will go to about $14.45 with education costs added in.
Superintendent Rick Colpitts and SAD 39 board Chairman Colleen Bullecks were present to field questions. Colpitts said there are three forces driving the budget: the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the state Essential Programs and Services school funding model and local policies.
Colpitts told the board that increases included tuition reimbursements, heating oil, diesel fuel, an oil boiler at the high school, asbestos removal, bus purchase, special education tuition and technology repairs.
Selectmen’s Chairman David Bowen said, “Our three towns are working on regionalizing by bulk purchases, are you trying to do any with the schools?”
Colpitts said they were working on such a plan with 18 school districts.
Also, with SAD 52 closing the alternative school, which is used by SAD 39, Colpitts said these students will either have to be placed in the schools or not be educated if there is no place for them to go.
In other business before selectmen, Tom Mawhinney, a contractor hired by Road Commissioner Alan McNeil to put in culverts, said he is not paying a bill for $1,115.26 from Oxford Networks. He said his men dug with their hands and a spade by the cable mark and couldn’t find anything. They started digging and the cable was there and broke.
“I don’t think anyone should pay this bill. It looks like the cable was incorrectly marked and would be a no fault,” Mawhinney said. “I won’t be doing anymore work for this town if this turns out wrong.”
After listening to the contractor, the board decided to do some calling and work on a letter to send to Oxford Networks.
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