Tax rate to decrease in Burlington Town to use timber harvesting fees instead of raising additional revenues

BURLINGTON – Taxpayers of this small town can expect to receive lower tax bills this year. Officials say the town’s new tax rate could drop by as much as $3.50 per $1,000 of valuation.

Residents approved a total budget of $142,643 during the annual town meeting Monday. It represents a decrease of $22,323 compared to last year. The amount approved to be raised from local taxes is $8,841, a decrease of $56,207, or 86 percent, compared to last year.

The reason for the large decrease is that the town will use more revenues, such as those from timber harvesting fees, to fund several accounts instead of raising the money from local taxes. Officials said the town is in excellent financial condition.

Residents approved an ordinance creating a Board of Appeals. The new three-member board with one alternate member will be appointed by selectmen for one-year terms. In the future, members will be elected at the annual town election. The new board will hear and decide appeals from decisions of the Code Enforcement Officer and the Planning Board regarding the building, shore land, zoning and subdivision control ordinances.

The budget approved by residents includes no new positions or major projects.

Residents voted to increase the salaries of the town’s road commissioner and treasurer. The road commissioner’s salary will go from $8 an hour to $8.50 an hour. The treasurer’s salary will go from $4,000 a year to $5,000 a year. All other salaries will remain the same.

By a vote of 14-10, residents attached a condition to the third selectmen’s pay. The third selectman, Tom Coyle, won’t be paid the annual stipend of $2,000 until his taxes are paid in full to the town.

Rachael Kilby, Dennis Kingman Sr. and Coyle were elected to one-year terms on the Board of Selectmen during the municipal elections. The results were: Kilby, 43 votes; Kingman, 36 votes; and Coyle, 30 votes.

Lisa Woodard was elected to a one-year term as town clerk with 45 votes. Orland Shorey was elected to a one-year term as tax collector with 46 votes and to a one-year term as treasurer with 47 votes. Calvin Dixon was elected to a one-year term as road commissioner with 45 votes.

Marianne Poirier was re-elected to a three-year term on the SAD 31 board with 48 votes.