Taxpayers in Auburn protest revaluation

AUBURN – Several hundred Auburn residents took to the street to protest a property tax revaluation, saying it could result in tax increases that will force some people from their homes.

A meeting was called Monday night in response to a citywide property revaluation that was mailed last week to residents. But more than twice as many people as expected turned out, so organizers had to move a crowd of about 300 outside an American Legion hall and into a parking lot.

Some of the protesters shouted demands for tax reform, and others demanded removal of councilors, the mayor and the city manager.

Mayor Norm Guay, who was present with councilors and City Manager Pat Finnigan, told the crowd that city officials don’t want to raise taxes or see anyone put out of their homes. Guay gave up the microphone when he was interrupted repeatedly by the crowd.

Protest organizers distributed petitions calling for the revaluation to be scrapped.

The council will set the tax rate in the spring after a budget is adopted.