Wiscasset property owners with homes valued at $150,000 will see an increase of $112.50 in their 2012-2013 tax bills. The selectmen signed the town’s tax commitment at their meeting Tuesday evening which increased the mil rate from $15.15 to $15.90.

Town Manager Laurie Smith gave the selectmen and members of the public a tax commitment presentation outlining four scenarios using a different fund balance in each scenario. The greater amount of the fund balance used would lower the mil rate.

The first scenario using a $500 fund balance would bring a mil rate of $15.86; the second scenario using a $480 fund balance would bring a mil rate of $15.90; the third scenario using a fund balance of $450 fund balance would bring a mil rare of $15.97; and the fourth scenario using a fund balance of $400 would bring a mil rate of $16.08.

The selectmen voted to authorize the $480 fund balance. Selectman Pam Dunning pointed out they were backing away from using the $500 fund balance as they have done in previous years, and were still not increasing the municipal mil rate.

The municipal mil rate of $3.23 is the same as last year; the county mil rate is $1.08 less than the $1.10 last year; the Regional School Unit mil rate is $11.55, a six percent increase over last year’s $10.82,    amounting to an additional $290,139 for a total amount of $5,139,765.

The mil rate increase is due to the transfer of acquired property from the Mason Station site, which took $6.5 million off the tax rolls, and the increase in the RSU assessment.

Selectman Ed Polewarczyk pointed out that the Mason Station building was not included in the acquired property.  

The town’s property valuation is $443,769,300, less than one percent decrease from last year. The town spent about $2 million in abatements, and gained about $2 million in new constructions and improvements.

Montsweag Brook vote

Wiscasset voters approved a question on the town warrant in the June 12 election to accept the 22 areas of land from Central Maine Power Company which includes a dam on Montsweag Brook with $100,000 of funds to use by the town for stewardship and monitoring obligations of the property. Some of the land is on the Woolwich side. However, Woolwich selectmen indicated the town was not interested in acquiring their portion of the land. Dunning said, “I am not willing to accept the land. We didn’t have full disclosure from Central Maine Power Company. I do not believe the public had enough information. I say put the question before the voters again.”

In the May 15 meeting Town Attorney Dennis Jumper and Road Commissioner Greg Griffin explained to the selectmen that accessing the dam with heavy equipment from the Woolwich side is a concern because there are no designated rights of way. However, there are rights of way in the deed but they aren't clearly marked, according to Jumper.

Although the town would receive $100,000 to maintain the dam, the selectmen expressed concern it would not go very far with the work that would need to be done in the area.

The selectmen voted to put the question before the voters in the November election. A public hearing has been schedule for October 2, at 7 p.m. to discuss the warrant for the November election which will include asking the voters to accept a new site plan and subdivision ordinance.

Winter sand bids open

The town received three bids for the 2012 winter sand for the town, a bid from Hanley Construction for $7 cubic feet loaded on the town truck, no bid for delivered sand; Northrop bid $6.75 per cubic feet loaded on the town truck, and $9.75 delivered; Harry Crooker bid $7 loaded on the town truck and $11 delivered.

Northrop, who was at the meeting stood up and told the selectmen he withdrew his bid of $6.75.

The selectmen voted to authorize the town manager with the Road Commissioner to award the 2012 winter sand bid to the lowest qualified bidder.

Apparently this did not sit well with Northrop. He stood up and said, “I have sit here for two hours, it was my understanding the bid would be awarded tonight.” Speaking to the town manager he said, “Can’t you and the road commissioner sit down now and discuss it in an open meeting instead of behind closed doors.”

Town Road Commissioner Greg Griffin said, “You will not get the bid anyway. You withdrew your bid of $6.75 loaded on a town truck, was that right?” Griffin indicated he would have the town pick up the sand to save the cost of having it delivered.

Selectmen Pam Dunning told Northrop the issue was closed. The vote had been taken, and the board would take his comments under consideration.

Superintendent’s building sale

The voters authorized the sale of the former school superintendent’s building on the Gardiner Road in June. The town manager presented a proposal of selling the building with two and half acres of land, with an asking price $205,500 for residential value and $271,400 for commercial value.

Budget Committee Norm Guidoboni asked if the repairs on the building had been done, apparently some electrical and plumbing work, the town manager said the town was waiting for the insurance company.

Budget Committee member Joe Piccirillo suggested to the selectmen to have the property appraised.

Selectman Jefferson Slack said he would like to see the repairs done before it is put on the market. The other selectmen apparently agreed because they instructed the town manager to contact a couple of realtors to do an appraisal and determine what work should be done before the property goes up for sale.

Problems facing the town

The selectmen were hit with two problems from the town manager near the end of their meeting. The municipal 1,000 gallon underground fuel tank did not pass inspection. The oil had to be drained from it this week.

Smith reported the cost of a new 1,000 gallon underground tank would cost $20,000, or a group of smaller tanks could cost about $10,000, the third option would be to use a 1,000 gallon outdoor tank the town has at the transfer station.

It appeared for the time being the selectmen are considering the third option.

Also, the recycling trailer at the transfer station needs about $12,000 in repairs. Smith told the selectmen one of the parts needed for the trailer may be available in Rockland and the road commissioner was going there on Wednesday to see if it is the right size.

The cost of a new recycling trailer could cost over $80,000. The selectmen are hoping that the trailer can be repaired until the next budget year, and perhaps its replacement could be included in the capital improvement budget for next year.

Senior citizen tax deferral

In the selectmen’s meeting September 4, a resident brought to the selectmen attention of a Maine law that addresses the problems of senior citizens losing their homes because they are unable to pay their property taxes. The law does not mandate the program, but allows towns to adopt a tax referral program with certain conditions.

Selectman Polewarczyk suggested there is a great deal of information needed before the town should adopt an ordinance for deferral of senior citizens taxes. He suggested that the Wiscasset High School seniors in the Problems of Democracy class be asked to research the pros and cons of such an ordinance, and even be asked to write an ordinance to be considered by the town.

The selectmen authorized Polewarczyk to go forward with his suggestion.

The selectmen voted to go into executive session at 9:54 p.m. to discuss labor negotiations.