D-F officials set mil rate at $18.25

By Stuart Hedstrom 
Staff Writer

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Board of Selectmen approved a mil rate of $18.25 for every $1,000 in assessed property for the 2014-15 fiscal year, during a July 28 meeting. The tax rate represents an increase of 60 cents from the previous year’s figure of $17.65.
    “The projected mil rate was $18.26, but it comes out to $18.25,” Town Manager Jack Clukey said once all of the various budget items had been finalized.

    The assessments for Dover-Foxcroft, such as the municipal and RSU 68 budgets, county tax and overlay, together total just under $7.28 million or roughly $100,000 more than the previous year. After the $1.8 million-plus in deductions, the net assessment for commitment is a little more than $5,465,100 or approximately $176,000 more than in 2013-14.
    While the various budgets may be up, town officials took steps to reduce one expense with a wastewater bond refinancing package. “You may recall on the warrant for the June town meeting there was authorization asked for and approved,” Clukey said.
    Residents approved refinancing on a little more than $795,200 in principal on a wastewater bond, reducing the interest rate from 4.75 percent to .44 percent. The lower interest rate reduces costs from a little more than $504,000 to about $81,800, a savings of over $422,200.
    “The savings is just astronomical, “ Clukey said, saying the payments will be similar to the current totals but the loan will be paid off in a shorter amount of time.
    “I just want to thank (Finance Director Dave Johnson) for all the leg work he’s put into this,” Clukey said, as the refinancing will go into effect immediately.
    In other business, Clukey said a pair of proposals were received from potential consultants to update the comprehensive plan. He said Fred Muehl from the planning board has volunteered to serve on a selection committee to pick a consultant from the pair, and Selectmen Steve Grammont and Ernie Thomas agreed to represent the board on the committee. A recommendation on a consultant is being planned for the selectmen’s Aug. 18 meeting.
    “We have an opening on our planning board, George Barton got off the board as of June 30,” Clukey said. Five residents expressed an interest in serving on the board, and the selectmen chose Sandra Spear to fill the vacancy. Spear was in attendance on July 28, and Clukey said the other four would be considered for future planning board openings.
    Clukey also reported that the protection committee met several weeks prior. “We talked about one of the items on the agenda, the possibility of a fireworks ordinance,” he said. “The committee thought it would be good to bring this up to the board for discussion,” he added, saying a vote on the ordinance could be held in November when turnout should be high with the gubernatorial election.
    “It’s a pretty simple, straightforward ordinance,” Clukey said about a document draft that would prohibit the sale and use of consumer fireworks. He said he looked at similar ordinances enacted in the towns of York and Harrison, with the latter community’s selectmen taking no stance on the ordinance before it was placed on the ballot. Dover-Foxcroft’s proposed regulations would essentially set regulations back to what was in place before the legislative changes were made in 2010.
    “I think it would be nice to put this out to the voters,” Select Chair Elwood Edgerly said.
    Grammont wondered about including exemptions in the ordinance, such as on the Fourth of July. “Personally I think the main objection is it’s all the time,” he said about continual use of fireworks.
    Board member Jane Conroy said some concerns residents have discussed with her about fireworks include the impact of the noise on animals and those who may be coping with post-traumatic stress disorder. “I have no problem putting it out for folks,” she said. “People need to understand what they are voting for,” she added, saying perhaps an information sheet could be included along with the ordinance.
    Thomas wondered about the process for enforcement once an ordinance is enacted, and Police Chief Dennis Dyer said enforcement would fall under the jurisdiction of the district attorney but the penalties, such as fines, would be determined by the selectmen.
    Dyer said he agreed that exceptions could be made, such as on July 4, but “it boils down to respect for your neighbors. I think we need some kind of ordinance to get a handle on this and get it back to where it used to be.”
    No vote was taken on the proposed fireworks ordinance. Clukey said he would look further into possible enforcement measures and penalties for violations and bring any updates forward to the August meeting.
    Clukey provided updates on a number of items in his town manager’s report. He said dangerous building action on a home at 956 West Main Street had been initiated “and now we no longer have to do this because the property was purchased by Foxcroft Academy.”
    Complaints had been made both on the appearance of the deteriorating home and from odors coming from the property. Clukey said Foxcroft Academy planned to demolish the structure located a stone’s throw from its campus, and the house was torn down soon after on July 30.
    He noted that Colleen and Ed Bailey of Norridgewock are intending to file a traffic movement permit application with the Maine Department of Transportation. The application is for a near 2,000-square foot Dunkin Donuts with drive-thru, to be located next to Save-A-Lot on West Main Street. The project is expected to be completed next year, with over 200 one-way trips during the morning peak hours and 92 trips during the busy times in the afternoon.
    Clukey also shared a thank-you letter from Brownville Town Manager Matthew Pineo. Pineo thanked the Dover-Foxcroft Fire Department for aiding the Brownville and Milo fire departments at a structure fire on Van Horne Avenue in Brownville Jct. the week prior.