Brownville officials set tax commitment

By Stuart Hedstrom

Staff Writer

   BROWNVILLE — During the first meeting of the 2015-16 fiscal year on July 15, the board of selectmen set a 2016 mil rate of $19.30 for every $1,000 in assessed property. This figure represents a 40-cent increase from the previous year’s rate of $18.90.

Town Manager Matthew Pineo said a mil rate ranging from $18.90 to $19.80 was considered and “what we ended up with was $19.30.” He explained a rate of $18.90 would have provided no money for an overlay while at $19.80 the overlay would have been over $54,000.

The overlay under the approved $19.30 mil rate totals just under $22,900. “That should cover everything we have for abatements and what’s left over goes into surplus,” Pineo said. “This is the best scenario for us, I can tell you we are lower than other communities.”

He said the 2016 fiscal year budget includes $14,500 more for education, an additional $5,000 for the county tax from the year before and $3,500 added in the library at the March annual town meeting. “We did our job, we can’t control all of the figures,” Pineo said, about town officials keeping their portion of the budget in line with the previous year.

“That is less than one half of 1 percent of an increase,” Select Chair Dolly Perkins said.

In other business, the selectmen scheduled a public hearing and special town meeting for Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. at the BJHS Alumni Hall. The session concerns proposed dog and fireworks ordinances.

State Rep. Norm Higgins (R-Dover-Foxcroft) has been visiting municipal officials in his district and on July 15 he met with the selectmen to discuss the latest developments in Augusta.

“I think this is a good budget we passed,” Higgins said, saying like any large spending plan there are always specific parts that he does not fully agree with. He said for the next two years $62.5 million in municipal revenue sharing will still be included and “that will help you in your budget planning.”

“Probably my biggest priority in the budget was maintaining the Homestead Exemption,” Higgins said. He said this figure of $10,000 will increase to $15,000 next April and then go up to $20,000 in April of 2017. “That goes directly to homeowners, primary residences,” Higgins said, saying this is a way to help seniors and others stay in their homes.

The selectmen also passed a motion authorizing Pineo to proceed with the purchase of a police truck following an inspection of the vehicle by members of the public works department.

The East Millinocket Police Department is offering Brownville a 2000 four-wheel drive  model, with 69,000 miles that has not been used on a regular basis, for $4,000. “The money is available but moving forward I would recommend no more spending,” Pineo said about using funds from the police reserve account if the truck is deemed to be a suitable purchase.

The vehicle, which could be used to drive into some of the more remote portions of town and/or during slippery winter conditions, is stickered but does have some rust on the rocker panels and is in need of new tires. The truck would come with equipment such as lights and radar that can be moved to other vehicles in the future.