Guilford mil rate set; two school directors resigning

Staff Report

    GUILFORD — The town of Guilford’s mil rate was set at $14.45 per $1,000 of valuation at last week’s Board of Selectmen’s meeting, an increase of 80 cents per $1,000 over the 2013 rate.
    According to Town Manager Tom Goulette, the new rate is a result of a budget increase of 3.19 percent and expectations of reduced revenue sharing. The bills were scheduled to be mailed our last week, and will be due upon receipt with interest of 7 percent to accrue after Aug. 31.

    The board also learned that two School Administrative District 4 directors will be stepping down. Jennifer Draper and Charlene McMullen sent their letters of resignation in due to the fact that they are moving out of Guilford and residency is a requirement for serving on the board. Both terms expire in March 2015.
    The selectmen can appoint successors until the expiration of the term, according to Goulette, “and they will — if any suitable, interested candidates come forward.”
    In other items discussed at last week’s meeting, Goulette updated the board on the Piscataquis River Festival on July 26. This year’s theme is “Duck Dynasty” and there will be a parade, many food and craft vendors, T-shirts for sale, the perennial duck race, lots of live music featuring Shine and the Three Horsemen; a bounce house, water slide, the fireman’s fountain and the return of the very popular pig scramble.
    The Red Maple Inn’s off-premises permit for a beer tent at the July 26 festival was passed; and the board also approved an amended diagram of the service area of the tavern and restaurant to include the rear deck and the outside, fenced-in area.
    At the request of the Planning Board, selectmen addressed the issue of building permit fees. The authority to set these fees was granted by voters at the annual town meeting in March, but the issue was tabled.
    An update on the public hearing regarding Guilford Memorial Bridge was presented. The Maine Department of Transportation appeared to be open to suggestions and was willing to work with the town, Goulette said. Two options were presented: One would close the bridge completely for 3-4 months while the other would keep alternate lanes open with a probable construction period of 6-8 months. It did appear that the second option would be implemented.
    Residents who attended the session were told the work was planned for the summer of 2016; but when the D.O.T. found out that it would conflict with the town’s 200th anniversary, they agreed to investigate the possibility of moving it up to 2015.
    They also promised to look into restoring active streetlights on the bridge as part of the update.
    The next regularly-scheduled Guilford Board of Selectmen’s meeting will be Tuesday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m.