HANOVER – Selectmen gathered Monday night after last week’s annual town meeting to choose a new chairman and to set the property tax rate.

Town Clerk Clem Worcester said the new rate will be $7.15 per $1,000 valuation, less than half of last year’s $15.40 per $1,000 valuation.

That doesn’t mean that everyone’s taxes will be halved, though.

The town recently completed a property revaluation, something that hasn’t been done since 1994. Prior to the revaluation, Worcester said the value of the town’s property had fallen to below 70 percent of the state’s value for the town.

Worcester said most people will see a reduction in their overall taxes. Owners of property on Howard Pond, though, will see an increase.

The 300 tax bills are expected to be mailed within the next couple of weeks, and taxes are due by June 30, 2009.

Brenda Gross, who has served on the select board for more than 20 years, was elected as the new chairwoman. She replaces a 12-year veteran, former Selectmen Bruce Powell, who resigned last week. Powell helped the new board get started at Monday’s meeting.

The board consists of Gross; Frank Morrison Jr., who was elected to his first, full, three-year term; and newcomer Richard Stratton, who was elected last week.

The new board’s first regular meeting is set for 6 p.m., Nov. 18, at the town office.


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