On May 19, I attended Sabattus’ annual town meeting. Many who attended were concerned about results of the town’s revaluation. There were rumors of valuations doubling, or tripling.

At the opening of the meeting, the selectmen and administrator were asked what the mill rate might be. None would even offer an estimate. Residents became concerned. Many budgets were flat-funded, reducing or eliminating funds for most departments.

At the May 29 selectmen’s meeting, a petition for a special town meeting was presented to the board. The petition requests reconsideration of two articles. There were many teachers and members of the school committee present to support this issue.

Several residents said because of lack of information, the entire town meeting should be declared void. Many residents were afraid to vote for articles because the selectmen and administrator wouldn’t estimate the tax rate.

Selectman Guy Desjardins said he felt the tax rate would be $12 to $12.50 per thousand dollars of value, and most tax bills will be the same, maybe less. Had this information been available at the meeting, some would have voted differently.

The town meeting shouldn’t have taken place until the selectmen and administrator had the information necessary to allow residents to make well-informed decisions on every article.

I plan on circulating a petition to present to the selectmen, to reconsider the balance of the articles.

Mara-Beth S. Duncan, Sabattus