NEW GLOUCESTER — Selectmen on Monday held the line, setting the town’s mill rate for 2012 the same as 2011 at $12.95 per thousand of valuation. Tax bills will go out in October.

Town Manager Sumner Field III said the town will collect $5,995,532 from taxation. The total budget before allowable deductions of $1,344,002 totals $7,339,534 to pay for municipal, county and school expenses.

“We should be very happy with a $12.95 rate,” board Chairman Steve Libby said.

Last fall, selectmen told all departments to hold the line on spending, agreeing it was critical to not raise the tax rate.

The proposed overlay of $69,877 is part of the budget. The town’s taxable real estate valuation is $447,279,500 with taxable personal property at $11,754,286, for a total valuation of $459,033,786.

The town’s contracted assessing agent, Michael O’Donnell, discovered $600,000 in increased personal property valuation this year, Field said. And new construction totaling $1.5 million has been added to the real estate tax base.

“Building construction is going up a little, but not anything to raise the flag about, but we’re not falling behind,” assessing assistant Deb Park Larrivee said.

In other business, selectmen awarded three tax-acquired properties to two bidders in a field of eight bids. All the parcels are landlocked.

Tom Abrahams of Auburn was awarded 13 acres of land off the North Pownal Road for $3,500 and 12 acres off the Durham Road at $4,025.

Nancy Wines-DeWan acquired abutting land to her property totaling 5.75 acres at $2,546.

Selectmen agreed to rejoin the Greater Portland Council of Governments, setting a cap on membership at $5,500 that will come from an emergency fund line of $13,000.

Copy the Story Link