PERU – Selectmen set the tax rate for the first six months of 2008 at $4.90 per $1,000 of assessed property value as the town switches its fiscal year to begin July 1.

Selectman Jim Pulsifer said the rate is about 35 percent of what the town can expect for the next 12-month budget. He said the intent was to keep taxes low to help property owners through the transition.

To keep the rate low, a quarter million dollars was taken from surplus, and some annual budget items, such as donations to nonprofits, were not included.

Selectmen expressed displeasure over the state’s proposed statewide building code, indicating it would be almost impossible for individuals to build their own homes under the regulations.

Pulsifer said that even though the state says it will not enforce the code, its existence will create liability issues.

Chairman Burchard Scott said it was another example of the state taking away authority from the towns and a move toward socialism.

Selectmen discussed the new Peru Web site developed by former Selectman Bill Hine.

Selectman Laurieann Milligan said the Web site was “a great idea” and the board should let Hine know that they support the idea.

Pulsifer maintained that if they were going to have a site where official town information was available, the town should be responsible for it.

Selectmen agreed to ask Hine to discuss with them the steps that can be taken to assure that the site is secure and that unauthorized material is not displayed.

Due to the increase in fuel prices, selectmen agreed to increase the rate for renting the Rockemeka Grange building to $20 per hour for residents and to $25 per hour for nonresidents. Users will be charged for the length of their function plus two additional hours for setup and tear down.

Town Clerk Vera Parent said 111 gallons of fuel were used at the hall between Dec. 13 and 24.

Selectmen went into executive session to discuss a consent agreement with Paul Bickford concerning a longstanding dispute over shoreland zoning violations.