WELD – For the fourth year in a row, selectmen have lowered the tax rate.

Selectmen set the rate for this year at $13.40 per $1,000 of property value, 40 cents lower than 2007, according to information provided by board Chairwoman Nancy Stowell.

The tax rate has dropped from $15.70 per $1,000 in 2005 and $14.80 per $1,000 in 2006.

“The town has consistently voted not to exceed the property tax levy limit,” Stowell said.

A combination of financial items have contributed to the lower tax rate, Tax Collector Carol Cochran said Monday.

The town’s valuation increased from $57.3 million last year to $57.8 million this year while the town’s share of the Franklin County budget decreased by about $9,000 and the share of the SAD 9 budget decreased nearly $4,500.

State revenue sharing went down but revenue from the tree growth tax law exemption went up, Cochran said.

“When you take all that into consideration that kind of balances out,” Cochran said.

Tax bills were sent out Thursday, Stowell said.