MECHANIC FALLS — The Town Council on Monday set the 2014-15 property tax rate at $21.20 per $100,000 in property valuation.
That is an increase of 80 cents per $100,000 over the current year’s tax rate, or a little more than a 3 percent increase.
Property tax bills will be mailed this month with payments due in two installments: Oct. 15 and May 15, 2015.
In other business, the council agreed to create a committee to study the feasibility of establishing a dog park in the downtown area.
Lydia Fisher, spokesperson for some residents who appeared before the council, said the group was looking for a site, possibly on town land, that would be at least an acre and a half. The fenced-off area would be divided into separate areas for large and small dogs.
Fisher said her group intended to raise money to pay for the fencing.
In approving establishment of a study committee, the council suggested the group develop policies for the use of the park and address issues such as liability and maintenance.
Town Manager John Hawley, who previously met with several of the residents seeking to establish the dog park and understands how much preliminary work already has been done, figured the committee should be in a position to present a proposal to the council in a couple of months.
Hawley also noted that by the town establishing the dog park committee the group could proceed with fundraising.
The council postponed signing a 15-year contract with Time Warner to provide cable TV cable service, allowing Hawley time to find out how much the town will have to pay for Internet service.
Hawley said that, under the present contract, Time Warner has provided town departments with free Internet connections, allowing for 15 addresses.
Hawley said Time Warner was eliminating that benefit in all its municipal franchise agreements across the state, but he had no idea what Time Warner might charge for the services.
He also told the council that the Mitchell Street rebuild was on schedule to begin in September and estimated the road will be closed for most of the three weeks it is estimated the project will take.
Public Works Director Scott Penney will work help residents to help them cope with the situation.
The council also awarded the contract to replace the roof on the Municipal Building to Hahnel Brothers of Lewiston at $41,535.
Hawley also told the council that, with the resignation of Town Clerk Laurel Nadeau, he was restructuring the Town Office by promoting Shirley Marquis to hire a part-time tax clerk.
Beginning in September, the Town Office will be closed to the public starting at 11:30 p.m. Wednesdays so staff can catch up on duties.
The council also approved a liquor license for Shooters Pub, now owned by Alan and Edward Hanson.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
