At Edgecomb's next annual town meeting in May 2013, residents could order a town-wide property revaluation. At least, the Board of Selectmen plans to ask for one.

If approved, work on the revaluation could start in July 2013 and be done by June 2014, selectmen said. They plan to propose tapping surplus funds for the estimated $80,000 cost, then pay it back over three annual installments.

The town's last revaluation was in 2004. One should be done every 10 years or more frequently, selectmen said.

At the outset of the discussion, Selectman Stuart Smith favored waiting a couple of years to do the next revaluation, to save money toward it, and  give property owners time to get used to the idea that the tax burden could shift. That can always happen with a revaluation, but shoreland properties are currently more likely to have dropped in value and, if so, inland property owners would carry more of the burden, Smith said.

“If they see that burden shift, there are going to be some very upset people,” Smith said.

But Chubbuck argued it is time to look at the value of all properties, so that assessments are as fair as possible. “I personally feel it's something we should do sooner rather than later,” she said.

The topic came up after selectmen discussed another property tax matter, involving several Davis Island properties once associated with Edgecomb Development. The board decided to have the assessor look into adjusting the valuations on those properties. Their current valuations may be higher than they should be, Smith said.

Homeowner Jeff Dempski, president of the Sheepscot Harbor View Condominium Association, thanked selectmen for taking the action.

Thanks to library donor

The board thanked a recent anonymous $7,000 donation to the Wiscasset Public Library, which allows Edgecomb residents to have free library services there for the next year. “Whoever it was, thank you,” Smith said.

Looking for a flag volunteer

Selectmen are seeking a volunteer to lower the flag outside town hall to half-staff when the government calls for it. Perhaps a veteran would like to do it, board members said.