Council seeks payment on delinquent personalproperty taxes

By Bill Pearson
Staff Writer

    DEXTER — The council unanimously voted on March 14 to write off 25 of 31 uncollectable personal business property taxes passed due since 2006. Town officials were looking to write off $4,174 in past due accounts from 31 businesses. The town has been unable to collect these unpaid funds due to businesses closing, moving or the owner had died.

    Town officials were looking to write off these accounts in an effort to portray a more realistic picture concerning the town’s mill rate.
    “As long as the taxes remain on the books, it creates a scenario of incoming revenue that will never be realized,” said Town Manager Linda-Jean Briggs.
    After reviewing the list of unpaid personal property taxes, the councilors decided to pursue six closed businesses whose owners still lived in the area. These six owe collectively about $1,200 in back taxes.
    The town is considering taking these six to small claims court in an effort to recoup the tax payments.
    The town is owed another $14,000 in back taxes from business still operating. Tax Collector Anita Colomy is encouraging these businesses to take advantage of the Business Equipment Tax Exemption and Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement programs. She indicated the town’s businesses could recoup what they owe in back taxes through both programs.
    Briggs encouraged the delinquent taxpayers to take advantage of these programs this year since the state is considering to either scale back or eliminate both programs due to their own financial challenges.
    “They had better do it in 2013,” she said. “The state is looking at both of these programs and I don’t think either one will be around in 2014.”
    The councilors also extended the time period for property owners with a tax lien to make a full payment on their 2010 bill. The council extended the deadline for 21 taxpayers, who are endanger of losing their property, until April 16.
    In other action, the council voted     5-2 to approve a victualer’s license for the Dexter Regional Development Corporation. The organization has refurbished the former Fossa’s building located on Main Street into a general store.
    The store will sell farm produce and products produced in the Dexter region to promote local products. The store will also have a commercial kitchen. The license allows the store to only sell take-out food. Councilors Fred Banks and Michael Blake voted against the license. The two believed the non-profit venture would be competing with the town’s commercial businesses.
    The council also unanimously approved a license for Dexter Taxi and Delivery. Michael Anderson applied for the license and owns other operations in Milo and Lincoln. The license allows him to have taxis in town ready to service clients.
    “I’m not going to lie. I applied for the license because I’m already getting calls,” Anderson said. “I can’t just sit and wait in town because I need a license to do that. This will save me money and provide better service to your residents.”
    The council will meet next at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 11 in the town chambers.