Hampden mill rate, tax bill due dates set

HAMPDEN – Some residents will see a break in their property tax bill when it comes due next year, while still others will see an increase.

Councilors on Monday unanimously agreed to set the 2005-06 mill rate at $16.70 per $1,000 of valuation, down from last year’s mill rate of $18.45. That means the owner of a $100,000 home in Hampden would pay $1,670 in taxes.

Despite the decrease, climbing valuations over the last year in some neighborhoods will mean a tax increase for a number of residents, Town Manager Susan Lessard told councilors Monday.

“Some people’s tax bills are going up,” she said, adding that sales activity in other neighborhoods has been minimal. “If your valuation didn’t change last year, your tax bill’s going down.”

Councilors also voted unanimously to set due dates for tax bills for the first Wednesday in October and the first Wednesday in April.

In other business Monday, the council heard from a resident who argued for the installation of a flashing red light at the intersection of Kennebec Road and Route 69. The stop sign at the intersection is not clearly visible, especially to drivers who often travel upwards of 70 mph, Kennebec Road resident Howie Olsen said Monday.

“It is only by the grace of God that no one has died at this intersection,” he said, adding that last Friday he nearly was in an accident at the intersection for the third time.

It could take up to two years for the Maine Department of Transportation to install a light on the state-owned Kennebec Road, though MDOT officials have agreed to clear trees and improve signs at the intersection, Lessard said.

In the interest of expediency, the town could pay the estimated several thousand dollars for the light installation, but Hampden would not get any reimbursement from the state, she said.

Councilors voted to authorize Lessard to seek bids from a list of contractors provided by DOT to have the light installed.

Roads were the topic of another discussion Monday, when councilors set a public hearing for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, at the municipal building for a referendum vote.

Residents in November will decide whether to reconstruct and pave 11 of the town’s gravel roads at an estimated cost of $750,000. The project would include Sawyer Road, Swan Avenue, Kincaid Road, Fowler Road, Manning Mill Road, Short Wharf Road, Baker Road, Miller Road, Laskey Lane, Old Emerson Mill Road and Libby Lane.

If the referendum question passes, the town plans to pave all of the roads in 2006.

Also Monday, the council:

. Voted unanimously to donate $10,000 for landscaping and granite work for a new veterans honor roll in front of the municipal building.

. Witnessed the swearing-in of newly elected Councilor Matthew Arnett.

. Discussed the need to fill vacancies on the planning board.