MACHIAS – Selectmen have called a special town meeting for Tuesday, Nov. 28, to change the due dates for town tax payments.

If voters approve Tuesday’s warrant articles, taxpayers will have until Jan. 12, 2001, to pay half of their 2000-2001 taxes. The second half of the annual bill will be due on or before May 18, 2001.

The annual interest rate on late taxes will remain at 10.75 percent and taxpayers who pay their entire bill before Dec. 29, 2000, will receive a 3 percent discount.

Machias taxes are usually due in two increments – one half by Nov. 15 and the second by April 15. But voters didn’t pass this year’s school budget until Nov. 7, delaying preparation of the bills.

Pending voter approval of the new dates, tax bills will be mailed by Dec. 1.

The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at the town office.