The Edgecomb Board of Selectmen anticipate a higher tax rate will occur after they approve the tax commitment during a special meeting on Monday night. The selectmen will meet at 4:30 p.m. on July 21 to approve the tax commitment.

An error in setting the previous two tax commitments resulted in the town collecting less in taxes. The selectmen said they anticipate a higher rate than the current 13.15 to make up for the lost revenue.

“The past two years the (tax rate) has stayed the same or gone down a little bit due to the error,” said Board chairman Jack Sarmanian. “Overall spending isn’t causing the increase, but rather the town needs to make up for the lost revenue caused by the error.”

Certified Public Accountant Fred Brewer discovered the error last year. Brewer previously worked for the William C. Brewer CPA firm in Bath. The William C. Brewer firm had served as the town auditor for more than 10 years, but the selectmen decided on July 14  to continue with Fred Brewer as its auditor. The selectmen voted 2-0 to accept Fred Brewer’s new firm’s bid of $8,000 to perform the municipal audit. Brewer is currently a senior audit manager at Perry, Fitts, Boulette and Fitton in Bath.

The selectmen changed firms because they wanted to retain Fred Brewer’s services. PFBF originally submitted a $10,500 bid, but the firm reduced the price after Brewer met with the selectmen on June 30.

“We feel strongly that Fred is right the person for the job,” Sarmanian said. “He’s had years of experience with our figures and discovered the error last year in the tax commitment. He’s shown that he’s more than capable in handling these duties.”

Other business

Selectmen Sarmanian and Jessica Chubbock reported that this summer’s road improvement projects were on schedule.  Edgecomb is currently in the second year of a 10-year plan. The town plans on refurbishing the every road during the next decade.

“I’m real happy in what’s going on. Especially with the Cunningham Road,” Chubbuck said. “They’ve moved (the entrance) so it’s more visible and less dangerous. The hill has also been eliminated. So you no longer need a running start to get over the hill in the winter.”

Next year, the selectmen plan on paving nine dirt roads.