Taxpayers in Glenburn likely to see slight jump

GLENBURN – Voters will consider a town warrant that includes a slight increase in taxes for fiscal year 2004 at next month’s town meeting. The warrant was approved during Thursday’s Glenburn Town Council meeting.

“It’s a relatively small increase,” said Mark Lagasse, chairman of the council.

The current tax rate is $19.15 per $1,000 of assessed property value. “The projected rate is estimated to go to $19.52, which is a 37 cent increase or 1.9 percent,” said Town Manager Carl Betterley. “Almost all of that increase can be attributed to increased funding for roads; to repair and maintain roads.”

The proposed budget amount for fiscal year 2004 includes $153,928 for the county, $547,391 for municipal needs and $2,373,571 for the school.

On June 10, a public vote at Town Hall will be held to elect a moderator to preside at the annual town meeting and to elect, by secret ballot, two town councilors and two school board members – each for three-year terms. Voting will start at 7:30 a.m. and end at 8 p.m.

The positions for councilors Bob Campbell and Lagasse and school board members Marsha Dephilippo and Robert Lad end in July.

On June 11, the annual town meeting will be held at the Glenburn School gymnasium, 991 Hudson Road, at 7 p.m., to discuss and take action on the 15 warrant items.

“We do a projected tax rate,” Betterley said. “The assessor will set the tax rate later in the year.” In the warrant, the town council recommends taxes be due by Nov. 7, 2003.

Also at the Thursday meeting, a memorial marker was approved by the council to remember the life of 8-year-old Marissa Pinkham, who died a year ago in an ATV accident.

“Marissa was very involved in the community,” Betterley said. “It was a tragic accident. Edward and Melissa Pinkham continue to be involved with the school and community.”

The Pinkhams have donated $200 toward the cost of the memorial marker and also have purchased two scoreboards for Glenburn. The marker “is one way to say thank you and memorialize a little girl,” Betterley said.

The memorial, which will be a large rock with Marissa’s name carved into it, will be unveiled during Glenburn Days Celebration, June 28-29.