DIXFIELD – Property owners will pay a little less this year when they get their tax bills next week.

Selectmen on Monday set the tax rate at $28 per $1,000 valuation, down $1 from last year’s rate of $29.

Town Manager Jeff Jacobson said the tax rate dropped because the SAD 21 assessment is lower and there is new growth.

The new tax rate includes an overlay of almost $23,000, which is the amount to be raised above the figure needed to cover the 2006-2007 municipal budget. He said that amount will be sufficient for this year, but likely will not be when the town has a complete revaluation done in 2007-2008. New valuations will be applied to tax bills during the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

An additional overlay amount will likely be needed to cover any abatements on the new valuations or any unpaid taxes.

The first half of property taxes is due by Sept. 15. Those not paid by then will be assessed 11 percent annual interest.

In other matters on Monday, the board approved a survey that will be mailed to all 1,200 town households to gauge the level of satisfaction residents have with municipal departments. The survey should be mailed sometime in mid-September.

Jacobson said the survey will provide residents with a chance to give their thoughts on the town and also give him a chance to introduce himself. Jacobson moved to Maine from Minnesota to take the town manager position in January.

He said he will begin compiling results within a month after it is mailed to residents, and will use it as a baseline of sentiment about the town. He plans to send out follow-up surveys within a year or so.

The 29-question survey if departments are over, under, or appropriately funded; what the quality of services is; and how residents view the town for its image, as a place to raise children and about other items.

The survey includes a self-addressed stamped envelope for replies. The $926 cost will be taken from the town’s postage account and the town manager’s professional development account.

Also on Monday, the board:

• reviewed a proposed street standards ordinance and made comments that will be forwarded to the Planning Board for further work. The document is due back to selectmen by Sept. 25; and

• approved the purchase of 7,000 gallons of gasoline from Woodstock Oil Co. at a cost of $2.15 a gallon.