HANOVER — Residents will decide at the annual town meeting Oct. 19 whether to have a fee for late payment of property taxes. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Town House.

Town Clerk Clem Worcester said residents have always had until the end of June to pay their property taxes, and virtually all do. He said 30-day notices were sent about a week ago to about 20 landowners who haven’t paid.

Article 39, the last one on the warrant, asks whether residents want selectmen to write an ordinance outlining a fee to be paid for nonpayment of taxes by June 30.

Selectmen would decide the amount of the fee that is no higher than the state allows. Residents would then act on the proposed ordinance at a town meeting.

Residents will also choose a selectman. Incumbent Richard Stratton, who has served two years after finishing a term begun by former Selectman Bruce Powell, has not yet decided whether to seek a full term. Also up for election are the positions of town clerk, treasurer and tax collector. Worcester currently holds those part-time positions and plans to run again.

All elected positions are nominated and voted on from the floor.

If all articles are approved, Worcester said he expects a nearly $1 increase in the tax rate, which is now $6.82 per $1,000 valuation. He said last year’s budget, which includes school taxes, was $364,635.

He said most of the hike can be attributed to higher school taxes, largely because of the decline in valuation for neighboring Rumford. Hanover and Rumford are members of the same school district.

Other articles include one for $25,000 for continued paving and culvert replacement on the first section of the Howard Pond Road.

Selectmen will meet at 5 p.m. before the town meeting.

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