DIXFIELD – Property owners will likely receive their tax bills within the next few days, showing a 5 percent increase in the tax rate over last year.

Board Chairwoman Bettina Martin said about 600 bills will be mailed today based on a $29.50 per $1,000 valuation.

That’s up from $28. The increase is attributed to cost overruns in several accounts and a decision not to use any surplus funds to offset bills.

Taxpayers have until Sept. 15 to pay the first half of their total bills without penalty. The second payment is due by April 1, she said.

Also at Monday’s regular board meeting, selectmen approved a liquor license for a new restaurant known as Hoppy’s Place, owned by Roberta Bryant, located on Weld Street at the site of the former Hunter’s Grill.

Selectman James Desjardins was the sole dissenter.

The town is classified through the state to grant liquor licenses for those businesses that hold a Class A restaurant license.

Martin said some people presented an incomplete petition requesting that a special town meeting be held to act on eliminating the use of alcoholic beverages on site.

She said the group took back the petition and plan to try to get the signatures of the required 15 percent of the town’s population. The petition would force the town to hold a special town meeting.

Bryant appeared at a board meeting last month to describe her business, which she said would provide family-oriented meals and activities as well as hold late night hours. Plans are to open the business by Sept. 1, said Martin.

Bryant will also be required to submit an application for a special amusement permit.

In other matters, former Selectman Richard Pierce was appointed to an additional term on the River Valley Growth Council.