Members Present: Rob Browne and Phil Haines
Members Absent: Lauchlin Titus
Others Present: Mary Sabins, Mary Grow, and Assessor Ellery Bane.
1. Call to order – The meeting was called to order by Chairman Haines at 9:02 a.m.
2. Mil rate discussion – Chairman Haines asked Ellery for an update on his assessing work for the town, and his recommendation for the new mil rate. Assessor Bane provided a summary of the new value he had found this year and compare it to increases in value that he had found in past years. He stated that new home starts are much lower in number now than prior to the recession that began in 2008. He suggested a mil rate of $13.70 would keep the overlay about the same as last year. After discussion and comparing the four mil rate options provided by the Assessor, on a motion made by R. Browne, seconded by P. Haines, the Board voted unanimously to set the mil rate for the 2015 taxes at $13.70 per thousand dollars of value. This represents a .90 increase over the 2014 tax rate of $12.80.
3. Other – 1. On a motion made by R. Browne, seconded by P. Haines, the Board voted unanimously to sign Treasurer’s Warrant #9. 2. Assessor Bane stated that a .90 cent mil rate increase is about average for the many towns that he serves. He also indicated to the Board that the company he works for will likely begin the quarterly review program this fall. The quarterly review program was approved and funded by the annual town meeting. 3. Sabins informed the Board that the roto-phase power unit for the compactor at the transfer station was down, and needed repairs are being sought by the Transfer Station Manager. Also, she stated that a tree alongside the town office driveway was blown down during the past weekend wind and thunderstorms. The public works department will clean up the tree when time allows.
4. Adjourn – There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 a.m.
/mss
These minutes were read and accepted by the Select Board on 8/13/15 with the following amendments: None.