E PLANTATION — With no opposition, the residents of E Plantation voted Wednesday night to become an unorganized territory.
Citing high taxes to support local government, the town will come under the control of state and county governments July 1.
According to Marie Brewer, E Plantation’s town clerk, 34 residents voted to approve the “deorganization” proposal. No negative ballots were cast, Brewer said.
E Plantation and Prentiss, in Penobscot County, were the first towns to become deorganized under a state law enacted last year that detailed the process, according to Joseph Plourde of the Maine Department of Audit. Plourde is the fiscal administrator of the state’s unorganized territories. Prentiss residents approved a measure to become deorganized April 28, Plourde said.
Responsibility for the E Plantation area will go to state and county governments. Old records, such as the clerk’s and assessors’ books and historical data will be transferred to the state archives in Augusta, Plourde said.
The state tax assessor’s office will assume control of the financial records, including the checkbook and investment records and pay the outstanding debts of the town.
If any education money remains, the funds are transferred to the state’s education and services fund for unorganized territories. Non-education funds are given to the county’s special revenue fund for unorganized territories.
The town’s property owners will pay property taxes to the state. Plourde explained that an average rate of three mills will be assessed to cover the costs of providing county services and taxes and state taxes.
According to Brewer, the town’s property, such as the town garage and equipment, is scheduled to be sold to the highest bidder.
Although education will be the responsibility of the state, Brewer said, the community’s children will continue to be educated at SAD 42 schools.
The town has a population of 66 residents. Last year, services cost the town $26,000, including its costs for schools. Most of the community’s land is owned by Fraser Paper Co., Prentiss and Carlisle, and Evelyn Griswold, all woods companies.
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