MINUTES
SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
STANDISH, MAINE
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2004 - MUNICIPAL CENTER 7:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
ROLL CALL
Councilors present: Christy, Hopkins, Lymburner, Nesbitt, Pomerleau, Simpson, and Spencer.
CONSENT CALENDAR
155-04 Establish Opening Time of Polls for November 2, 2004 General / Referendum Election [Christy]
The Clerk noted that the opening time of the polls would be 6:00 am and they close at 8:00 pm.
VOTE: 7 Yeas – 0 Nays
NEW BUSINESS
156-04 Set Mil Rate, Due Dates and Interest Rate for the Fiscal Year 2005 Taxes [Christy]
Peter Arnemann the Assessor explained that this has been a very big process and he was pleased that we came in with a mil rate of $10.75/1,000. He said that amount was just a little more than what was estimated six months ago. He said that on the whole the project went well. He said that anything as large as this there is bound to be some bumps in the road. He said that the values are very good and he hoped that they would accept these numbers.
Louis Stack of Whites Bridge Road said that in all due respect to Peter, it was his opinion that the revaluation is flawed. He cited differences in values in lakeside properties and just plain mistakes. He explained that two properties across the street from him are both zoned water oriented commercial. He explained that there is a great difference in the valuation of the properties. One of those properties is less than three acres and valued at $297,000 an acre. The other property is twelve acres and valued $75,675 an acre. He said that you take one step across the property line and the value of the property drops by four times. He said that he didn’t think that was fair. He noted some residential properties that had similar differences. He noted that zoning changes had been made
in that area and at that time none of the values changed. He said that he thought that they were rushing the revaluation. He said that there are a lot of errors with the valuation that need to be corrected before the commitment is done.
Dave Thomas said that he thought that the tax rate should be based on the family unit because that is what costs the Town’s services. The family unit should be the largest portion of the tax bill and the property itself is only using services for fire protection. The family unit is what we have to provide schools and services for. He said he would like to see a family unit be used in factoring the tax rate.
Council Lymburner asked about Louis Stacks points and does it have to be the property owner to ask for a revaluation.
Peter Arnemann said that when it comes to applying for an abatement the owner has to apply. He went on to say that there are 5,000 parcels in town and each property has 50-100 different elements in it, so there are bound to be mistakes. When mistakes are found they will be cleaned-up. He said that he had asked the Vision Appraisal to review the boatyard and they did increase the valuation but overall thought that its valuation was correct. He said that some had questioned the Stack’s assessment. He said that he had taken a drive to look at properties and compared the selling prices. In most cases the selling price are higher than our assessment. He said that our numbers are pretty solid.
Councilor Lymburner asked when will be bills going out.
Peter said the end of next week or the beginning of the following week.
Chair Christy asked Peter to expand on the abatement process.
Peter said that you have to wait until you get your tax bill. Then if you are not happy with the assessment, you complete a form stating the what is wrong with the assessment. He said that the burden is on the taxpayer to prove what is wrong with the assessment. That would usually be done through an appraisal. He said that he has a period of time to act on them, and then the next step is the Board of Assessment Review. He said if there has been a mistake it will be corrected. He will put a outline of the process on the web site.
Councilor Hopkins questioned how can someone other than the taxpayer challenge a valuation of a property. She asked how those are being handled.
Peter said that if he was to receive a large number of inquires regarding a property he would look into hiring an appraiser to review the parcel. He said that some things that were over looked will be picked up next year.
Councilor Hopkins said that she will support the order but she was concerned with the ratio of errors. She said that she had problems with both pieces of her property, she said that she was one of the ones that’s properties was undervalued. She said that she still hadn’t received the notice of the change in her valuation.
Peter said that it was a big project and usually it takes a whole year to do the process.
Councilor Lymburner asked how the marina could be zoned residential and not commercial.
Peter said that he was not sure of what the computer said.
VOTE: 7 Yeas – 0 Nays
157-04 Award Bid for Sale of Tax Acquired Property [Simpson]
Councilor Simpson explained that there were ten inquires but only three bids were received. He said that one was for $10,001, another was for $15,000 and one for $45,100.
Moved by Simpson Seconded by Spencer and Voted that the bid submitted by Philip Wadsworth of Hanson, Mass in the amount of $45,100 is accepted. (Unanimous)
Louis Stack questioned if the money paid the taxes and the rest went into the undesignated fund.
Gordon Billington said that the all of the money will go into undesignated fund.
VOTE ON ORDER AS AMENDED: 7 Yeas – 0 Nays
PUBLIC ITEMS
Councilor Hopkins said that she wanted to thank Peter for his work she said that she knew that the process had been difficult. She said that the majority of people that had come through the office had nothing but good things to say about his approach.
Councilor Nesbitt said that we had all gotten notice of the County 911 meeting and wanted to make sure that Standish was represented.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Several meetings from the calendar were announced and these additional meetings:
The Standish Steering Committee will meet tonight.
EXECUTIVE SESSION (S)
Moved by Simpson Seconded by Hopkins and Voted to move into executive session for discussion of a land matter. (Unanimous)
The Council arose from executive session by unanimous consent. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm by unanimous consent.
Submitted by: _______________
Clerk/Secretary
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