Woolwich selectmen set the town's mil rate at 12.8 after meeting with the auditor Monday afternoon, September 17. The town used $800,000 from surplus toward the total municipal appropriation of $1,481,201 and to offset the tax mil rate, which is up just $0.30 from last year (12.5). Board chairman David King said the town is left with a budget overlay of $29,000.

By this year's calculation, property owners with a house valued at $100,000 will be asked to pay $1,280 in property tax.

Of the $800,000 from surplus, $500,000 came from excise tax, according to town administrator Lynette Eastman. The tax rate calculation includes an estimated $140,303 in municipal revenue sharing from the state. 

Revenues are down and expenses have been up, so selectmen have been trying to be cautious in using the surplus. King said the board would like to ask taxpayers to use $900,000 to offset the tax rate next year. 

“We feel we can safely do that,” King said.

Had the town used $900,000 this year, it would have held a flat tax rate, he added. According to selectmen, there is $600,000 left in surplus, down from $1.4 million.

Tax bills from the town will be sent out by the end of this week.