Willimantic to see tax decrease from revaluation of property

WILLIMANTIC – Based on the results of a revaluation and a 2007 spending plan adopted Monday by Willimantic residents, the tax rate will decrease in this small Piscataquis County town.

Although mock bills mailed earlier to residents indicated the mill rate would drop from $8.30 to $6.60 per $1,000 valuation, the actual mill rate would fall between $6.70 and $7 per $1,000 valuation, Selectman Susan Bennett told more than 50 residents at the annual town meeting.

Among the 46-article warrant, residents approved $30,000 for capital improvements, most of which will be targeted for bridges, culverts and paving; $166,601 for education; and $30,000 for general government.

Funds for summer maintenance of a section of Sebec Shores Road were denied. In past years, the town has typically provided $4,000 for upkeep of the section of the road in Willimantic, the same amount requested this year.

Resident David Thayer on Monday told residents that state law prohibits the use of town funds on private roads, and that road has several posted signs.

Selectman Bruce Thomas and former selectman James Buchanan felt the town could provide the service because residents voted in 1975 to make a public easement over the private road.

Although the funds were denied, town officials agreed to seek a legal opinion on the status of the road.

A conflict of interest ordinance that prohibits the town from employing or contracting for services or goods with selectmen was approved. The matter surfaced because of past problems involving Thomas, who previously held the contract to provide winter road maintenance. “You’ve got three people at all times who have no personal stake,” Bennett said of the move.

An amendment made by Thayer to have the town clerk hold office hours at the town hall rather than her home failed. Thayer said most towns have office hours in town buildings. He said the town could be liable if someone should hurt themselves on the clerk’s property.

“It’s time the town hall is used as a town hall,” Thayer said.

Concern also was expressed at the meeting about the storage of town records since the town has no vault.

The town has about $78,000 set aside for renovations to the town hall or the construction of a new town hall, but town officials and residents have made no decision which direction to take, Bennett said.

Elected to office were the following: John Tatko, selectman; Tina Viekman, town clerk; Michelle Nichols, treasurer, David Thayer and Marilyn Tourtelotte, planning board; Tom Goulette, tax collector; Fred Turner, road commissioner, and Dan Bayerdorffer, school committee.