LIVERMORE FALLS – Selectmen voted Tuesday night to hold the town’s tax rate at $24.45 per $1,000 valuation.
With expenses steadily increasing, Selectman Russell Flagg said he thought the town had done well to hold the line from last year.
The rate will give the town an overlay of $43,195.91, an increase over last year in accordance with the auditor’s wishes for the town to carry a larger surplus.
Town Manager Alan Gove explained that several things may have to go to the voters for funding during the year. These include negotiations and an increase in both fuel and salt prices.
If funds are available in surplus, voters could approve their use without the town having to issue supplemental tax bills.
Gove said the bills should go out this week and are payable upon receipt. Those wishing to receive the 1 percent discount must pay the full bill before Oct. 7.
Interest will be added to the first half of the bill on Oct. 21 and on the second half on April 15, 2005.
In other business, the board approved bids for No. 2 fuel oil and diesel, each at $1.27 per gallon. The bids were made with SAD 36 and seven other school districts, Gove said.
After discussing the washout situation at Spruce Mountain Ski slope, the board agreed to have the town’s highway crew contribute labor and equipment, as needed, to make the repairs. Jay and Livermore will also contribute to the project, and the cost of materials will be shared by the three towns.
Salt bids were tabled for more information, and approval was given to an arrangement with Ted Berry Co. to take the old generator in exchange for basin cleaning. An old compressor was sold to Larry Brown for $100.
Gove explained that a provision in the law allows a town that pays for police training to regain a portion of the cost when the trained officer goes to another town.
Such is the case with Officer Rod Small, who recently went to Jay, and Gove expects about $6,000 reimbursement from Jay. The board agreed to return it to the Police Department to be designated specifically for training a new officer.
The code officer was allowed to build up her compensatory time limit to 14 hours, for one time only, for a hunting trip. Her regular time will be up to eight hours.
An offer of old pews from Eaton Memorial United Methodist Church for the courtroom was refused because they would not fit well into the space. The board expressed their appreciation for the offer.
There may be benches the town can purchase from the court to replace the ones taken when the court moved.
Considerable work needs to be done in the courtroom, selectmen said, including electrical and ceiling work.
The board will attempt to set a mutually convenient date for a special meeting with the Planning Board to discuss the Adult Business Ordinance and other pending matters.
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