PERU — Selectmen agreed at Monday night’s meeting to review several property assessments after hearing a resident’s tax complaint.
Norman Miley said he paid several hundred dollars more in taxes on his 52 acres than the owner of 52 acres across the road.
Board secretary Angela Barkhouse said she has a list of several properties that selectmen need to review.
Selectmen, who may also act as assessors, agreed to meet at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, to review the assessments on the properties.
Resident Dawna Kazregis said there were many residents disgruntled with their property assessments; however, they didn’t mention them to selectmen because previous boards had been unresponsive.
Selectman Jim Pulsifer said officials cannot correct problems if they don’t know about them.
Miley also questioned Road Commissioner Joe Roach about a letter Roach wrote to a landowner that said a culvert needed to be added to a private road where it intersected with a town way.
Miley said he sold the land to a Connecticut resident who has asked him to question the need for the culvert.
Roach said he would review the need for the culvert.
Miley also accused Roach of wasting money by doing an emergency ditching job near his property.
Roach said recent rainstorms washed gravel into the ditch and if it was not removed before the next storm, it would cause thousands of dollars of damage to the road.
Several weeks ago, Russell Parker Appraisals of Kennebunk, longtime appraisers for Peru, offered to do a town revaluation for $50,000. Selectmen rejected the bid, thinking it would be good to use a different firm.
Last month, selectmen opened bids from three other firms: RJD Appraisal of Pittsfield, $99,900; Robert B. Stevens Jr. of Farmington, $105,000; and John D. O’Donnell of New Gloucester, $124,000.
Several selectmen said they would like a new firm, but were unwilling to spend the extra money.
Selectmen assured residents that no matter who did the work, they would have to comply with the same state standards.
Three bids were opened for screened winter sand, and prices varied by five cents per cubic yard. Selectmen instructed Roach to inspect the material from each supplier before a decision is made.
After their meeting Wednesday, selectmen will meet with those involved in the dog dispute on Stage Coach Road. Roach will attend and determine if additional signs are needed on the road.
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