Vassalboro Tax rate set at 14.55 mils

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro selectmen have set the 2017-18 tax rate at 14.55 mils, or $14.55 for each $1,000 of valuation, an increase of 50 cents per $1,000 over the 2016-17 rate.

Town Manager Mary Sabins told board members at their Aug. 10 meeting the 14.55 mil figure is the lowest recommended by assessor Ellery Bane. With selectmen’s approval, she expected Bane to make the figure official on Aug. 15; tax bills would be prepared and mailed as soon as possible thereafter.

By town meeting vote, the first quarterly tax payment is due Sept. 25.

Sabins has arranged to include in residents’ tax bills a notice of Kennebec Explorer bus service now available to Vassalboro and China residents through the Kennebec Valley Community Action Program.

The bus picks up people in the two towns Monday and Thursday mornings and brings them home in late morning and early afternoon. One-way fare is $1.25. Scheduling is done in advance through a toll-free telephone number, 1-800-542-8227 opt. 2.

The other major business Aug. 10 was awarding the contract to survey the new section of the Cross Hill Cemetery. After discussion with Cemetery Committee Chairman Jane Aiudi, selectmen approved Thomas A. Stevens’ bid, conditional on satisfactory review by Sabins and the Cemetery Committee.

Stevens offered various prices depending on the size and type of plot markers. The accepted figure is $5,170.80.

Aiudi commented that all bids were less than the committee had expected to pay. In other business, selectmen reviewed the history of the road section off Pleasant Point Road, on Webber Pond, now called Kilburn Lane and voted unanimously to take no action on a resident’s request to change the name.

They discussed proposed culvert work and paving plans with Road Foreman Eugene Field and encouraged him to proceed as he planned.

The next regular Vassalboro selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for Thursday evening, Sept. 7.