RANGELEY — Selectmen on Monday listened to a presentation from Matthew Caldwell from RDJ Appraisals on the plan for a property revaluation in 2026. The purpose is to align property values with appraisals to ensure fair taxation.
Properties are taxed at 76% of their market worth. The revaluation is intended to bring that to 100%. In addition, the state’s Property Tax Stabilization for Senior Citizens program will expand into the Property Tax Fairness Credit for Senior Citizens.
In a related matter, selectmen set the tax rate at $12.23 per $1,000 of property value. Shelly Lowell, a member of the audience, said, “I think it is still high … I just don’t want to add more to the taxpayers.”
In other business, the board unanimously approved liquor licenses for the Rangeley Lakes Region Historical Society and the Portage Tap House.
Additionally, they gave their approval for the Parks & Recreation Splash out of Summer on Aug. 8 and the Trail Town Festival on Sept. 2.
The Oquossoc Park Phase 1 Design and Building Services proposal was also granted, and the board approved spending $1,966 for a new laptop for a police cruiser.
The board made several appointments, including: Jim Ferrara and Harold Schaetzle to the Airport Commission; Jim Higgans, Budget Committee; Dennis Marquis, Cemetery Committee; Wendyll Caisse, Comprehensive Plan Review and Implementation Committee; Dennis Marquis and Carl Symes to the H.A. Furbish Trust; and Dennis Marquis and Brian St. Louis to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Moving on to new business, board members discussed revising the bylaws and whether to grant public and media access to the board packets, which typically include the meeting agenda and supporting documents for the items to be discussed. A motion to deny access to the packet failed.
Later in the meeting, the board engaged in a discussion with town lawyer Steven Langsdorf, who joined via Zoom.
Langsdorf provided advice to the new board members, emphasizing that Rangeley operates under a town manager form of government, which was established about 100 years ago. He stressed the importance of impartiality among small town board members and reviewed the bylaws.
Langsdorf explained that the board’s role is to implement policies and propose ordinances under the town manager’s guidance. He also highlighted a provision in the bylaws to ensure that meetings do not extend past 9 p.m., noting that “nothing good happens after 9 p.m. in a public meeting.”
Board members in attendance were Ethna Thompson, Samantha White, Wendyll Caisse and James Jannace.
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