Dixfield’s current taxable value is $159,860,210. The town needs $3,261,148 in taxes. That requires a 20.40 mil rate. The proposed wind power project, valued at $36 million, would bring in $734,000 in taxes. That would lower the town’s mill rate to 16.65. According to the town office, the average home in Dixfield is valued at $103,481, making taxes on that home $2,111.01. If the mill rate was lowered to 16.65, the tax bill would be $1722.96. That is a difference of $388.05.

Some Dixfield selectmen have said that the savings wouldn’t be worth the increase in value. It seems like a savings to me. Like any increase in value, there will be more county taxes and less assistance from the state. Compare that to an increase in people’s paychecks. People would pay more in taxes but still come out ahead.

It is rare that the town has a new business, valued as much as this one is, that wants to do business in a town. Selectmen should be asking “what can we do for you to do business in our town?” not “How can we keep them out of town.”

Perhaps selectmen and residents should take a good look at what other towns are doing and do the same before it is too late. Maine needs new businesses, and this town needs new business. The latest ordinance that the selectmen pushed through will still prohibit a wind project.

I hope others will join me in voting against the prohibitive wind ordinance.

Peter Holman, Dixfield