NEW GLOUCESTER — Contracted assessing agents are working to complete a number of projects so selectmen can set the tax rate for 2010-11.

Town Manager Sumner Field III said by telephone Thursday that independent assessing agent Jim Thomas of Cumberland is coordinating a team certified assessors after full-time town assessor Nancy Pinette went on medical leave.

Thomas in the early 1990s was a shared assessor’s agent with New Gloucester and the town of Gray. He manages his own company based in Cumberland.

Joining Thomas is O’Donnell Associates of New Gloucester, which is doing field work, and former Selectman Matthew Sturgis of Gray, an assessor for Cape Elizabeth, who is working to update personal property accounts.

The team’s work includes completing personal property declarations; going out in the field to pick up work from permits issued by the town’s code enforcement officer; dealing with property transfers and property splits and exemptions. And, the Tax Increment Financing District at Pineland Center has to be assessed for new structures and personal property for business establishments at the site.

Field said no budget has been set by the five-member Board of Selectmen to complete the project. The assessors began work on July 26, and he said he hopes they will be finished this month.

The assessors are contracted at an hourly rate not to exceed $65.

“I have no idea of what it will cost,” Field said. “This came as a surprise. I have not seen any invoices yet.”

Once the files are all updated, the tax rate can be set. Property taxes are due Oct. 8.

Selectmen have routinely sent bills out at least 45 days in advance.

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