POLAND — The Select Board voted Tuesday night to set the property tax rate at $13.64 per $1,000 of assessed value, $1.02 less than last year’s rate of $14.66.

The board also agreed to use $550,000 from the undesignated fund balance to help reduce the impact on property taxes.

Earlier this year, the Select Board authorized RJD Appraisal of Lewiston, the town’s assessing agent, to employ a flat-rate increase of 20% on all property assessments — residential, waterfront and commercial.

The increase in property values narrowed the certified ratio between assessed value and market value.

The action had no impact on an individual’s property tax but on the town’s total valuation, which prevented a reduction in revenue from the state.

The Select Board pointed out that any increase in this year’s property taxes was due to hikes in the municipal and school budgets, and the county tax.

The 20% across-the-board hike will also hold off an entire revaluation of the town by at least two years.

In other news, Deputy Town Manager Nikki Pratt said a new election warden will be needed by next year, and anyone interested should contact the Town Office.

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