DIXFIELD – Selectmen gave the go-ahead for a complete, town-wide property revaluation Monday night that is expected to begin sometime in 2007.

Town Manager Jeff Jacobson said the last time all 1,500 parcels were assessed was in 1992. Now, 14 years later, property values have risen and tax values have not.

He said the town’s value is at about 75 percent of where it should be. Under state law, properties must be assessed at least 70 percent of their value.

The town has been putting aside funds for the anticipated $120,000 cost of the revaluation. So far, it has $98,000. The remaining funds will likely be raised during the June 2007 annual town meeting. The project should take three to four months to complete, Jacobson said.

John O’Donnell of New Gloucester is expected to conduct the revaluation.

Having a revaluation completed next year is important.

“Right now, we have one of the highest mill rates in large part because of the 1992 assessment,” he said Monday night.

Dixfield’s tax rate per $1,000 valuation is $29. Jacobson said the new tax rate will be set later this month and is expected to be about the same.

Property owners will begin paying a new tax rate following the revaluation during 2008. Generally, whenever a town-wide revaluation is conducted, one-third of the property owners pay about the same as before the revaluation, one-third pay less, and one-third pay more, he said.

In other matters on Monday, Jacobson said Dixfield police officer Jeff Howe was injured this past weekend while on duty. He is expected to out for about six weeks. In the interim, reserve officer David Hodgson is expected to cover many of Howe’s shifts.

In a related police matter, Jacobson said a new police sergeant is expected to be named next week.

The board is also looking into the possibility of repairing or replacing the town clock located atop the municipal building/post office on Main Street.

Preliminary estimates have come in at nearly $4,000 for replacement of the 40-year-old clock. The board will look to possible funding from the Ione Harlow Community Fund.