NEWRY — Newry Selectboard Chairman Gary Wight, Mandy Berry, and Virgil “Tink” Conkright met with Town Administrator Loretta Powers and Deputy Clerk Amy Henley on Jan. 3, and discussed at length two personal property tax issues.
Separate from real estate tax, these taxes are incurred when the resident lives in Newry and owns heavy equipment and/or business equipment here or in another town. Administrator, Powers explained that the town attorney said they can only go back the last six [delinquent] years.
“Where your business resides in is where you are taxed. He [Keith Durgin] is the owner of the business and he resides here,” said Powers. According to the town’s assessor Durgin owes $24, 689.95. The town would write off, $25,689.95 because it was owed more than six years ago.
Confusing matters, Bethel taxes residents on a million dollars or more worth of personal property tax, unlike Newry that starts taxing at zero. Durgin’s business was in Bethel, while he lives in Newry.
Equipment lists are required by the Town and according to Powers, the town was missing lists [or they were not provided]. “It’s up to the person to provide the details to prove what they had or didn’t have,” said Powers.
“If they [the delinquent taxpayer] go to bankruptcy, you [the town] are the first one to get a claim on the money,” said Henley.
Durgin said he remembers paying personal property tax in 1975 on one farm tractor they bought. “In 85, ’86 from there everything went to Bethel. We used to have personal property tax that was set down…I never looked at it, I just paid it. I was shocked that I even paid up to 2006. Because all of the equipment was far outdated and most of it was sold or not running.
“The three pieces I have now – that was during that time – were sitting idle with engines froze up and transmissions gone out…we were faithful. In this town we have a bad name or bad reputation for some reason. there’s not many people on this side of the river that we haven’t done something for, or the town itself…I’m beyond sick of it.”
“We’re not trying to single you out. We’re just trying to clean up personal property tax. You’re not the only one…We can’t find the listing. Technically the burden of proof is on the taxpayer…It’s where you reside not where the equipment is,” said Powers.
Durgin said his attorney pointed out to him section 36 in the law, that said if you are established in another town then it’s taxable in that town.” We were definitely established in Bethel seven days a week.”
Wight said, “I think we’re both a little bit at fault, here…we can’t go back more than six years, so we’re only going back to 2017.”
“The value’s been zero in the 2000’s,” said Durgen
Wight and Conkright asked Durgen for a list of his equipment from 2017 to present.
Finally, Henley said, “You can abate the 2023 amount by providing a new list so the assessor can abate it. But there is a deadline. It’s February 17. I recommend getting that in.”
The second personal property tax for $3,121.76 was incurred by SR Gold Holdings LLC, who sold the golf course at Sunday River to Sunday River. They received an abatement on the real estate tax not on the personal property tax as was given.
The group decided unanimously to table the two personal property tax issues until they have a chance to look more closely at the paperwork from the attorneys.
Other business
Conkright reported that the Newry Fire Department did 135 calls in ’22. “That figures out to about 1 every 2.7 days,” he said.
Becky Bean was present, representing Sunday River, who requested and received approval for two renewal liquor licenses for Jordan Hotel and Summit Hotel. “Each hotel encompasses the whole hotel, outside decks, patios and event areas…in case a guest wants to leave the restaurant and bring their drink to their room.” said Bean.
After an inquiry from Edward Baker, of Newry planning board, Bean confirmed that the outpost food truck [a new eatery, adjacent to the Lollapalooza slope] is included in the Jordan license. She confirmed that there will be boundaries [fencing] so that there will be no alcohol slope side.
The select board voted to enter into a contract with Power Market, a solar energy company, who will be able to save the town $1,000. or more when they start in September or when they have enough people signed on. They are currently 60% full. The sign-ons can include people from outside Newry, and includes both businesses and individuals. “So I can just go to this website and sign up?” asked Berry. “Yes,” replied Powers.
A request to join the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce was tabled.
The Med Care ambulance contract will cost more for 2023 – $1,301.58 per month. The board accepted the increase.
The Valley Services bid for mowing town properties for 2023 is $520. per month from May to October. The new contract was accepted, with one abstention.
The board approved the new minimum age of $13.80 [ballot clerks are the only position affected]
A donation request for Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine will be added to the budget for Town Meeting.
An abatement to Wells Fargo Equipment Finance was granted. Sunday River grooming machines were initially leased and after purchased, tax was mistakenly collected tax from both companies.
In her report, Deputy Henley, said, of the 222 liens in Newry at the start of July 2022 [when Power’s was hired], only 19 or 20, are remaining along with ten timeshares, as they continue to “clean house.”
Powers noted the seven members of the volunteer fire department.
Oxford County is hoping to get some FEMA money for culvert damage on the Branch Road and Sunday River Road
Powers expressed the hope to get a system in place, a designated annual day for town meetings going forward. The group chose the third Tuesday of May. This year’s Town Meeting will be May 16 at 6 p.m.
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