MECHANIC FALLS — The Town Council on Monday set this year’s tax rate at $17.55 per $1,000 of assessed value, the same as last year.

“It gets harder every year but this is the fifth year we have been able to hold property taxes at essentially this level,” Town Manager John Hawley said.

Hawley noted that while the RSU 16 budget for this year remains to be officially set, the $17.55 tax rate assumes that the town’s bill from the school system will go up by $20,000.

“That’s what school officials are asking for now. If it goes up, we’ll be back looking for a supplemental commitment,” he explained.

The council also approved expending $50,000 to pave Elm Street, from the railroad tracks to Laurel Street, with the work to be done in conjunction with the sanitary district’s storm water separation project.

Money to pay for the paving was taken from the town’s prior fund balance, an action taken following a special town meeting held at the beginning of the regular council meeting.

The council went along with Hawley’s recommendation that nothing be done to improve the sidewalk in the area this summer. Hawley noted that the heavy equipment needed for doing the sidewalk would likely do damage to the new street pavement and that waiting a year might be the better plan.

Hawley also reported that the contract for the wood pellet boiler has been signed and all the ancillary equipment has been ordered.

The wood pellet boiler will serve the Municipal Building, the fire station and the public works building, and will replace two oil-fired burner systems. It is expected to more than pay for itself in reduced fuel costs in less than six years.

The council approved Hawley’s recommendation that the former Head Start building be closed for the winter after the summer rec program ends.

Hawley noted that while the recreation department was interested in the building, the annual operating expenses were too much.

“Back when Head Start announced it was pulling out there was some interest in some sort of day care moving in, but that’s disappeared,” he said.