News
Briefs
New
Gloucester sets tax rate at $10
At
their meeting on Monday, August 22, the New Gloucester
Board of Selectmen voted to set the fiscal 2005/2006
tax rate at $10.00 per thousand valuation. The Board
had contemplated setting it slightly lower, at $9.90,
but various financial considerations convinced them
to set it at $10.
Town Manager Rosemary Kulow had recommended the $10
rate because some revenue sources are now projected
to be less than previously anticipated. TIF revenue
was projected to be about $64,000 less, state homestead
reimbursement about $20,000 less, state revenue sharing
about $12,000, and veterans' exemptions about $1,200
less. Also, this year's state tree growth reimbursements
of $40,000 will be put off until fiscal 2007.
Those reductions and delays total about $138,000.
Setting the tax rate at $10.00 provides the Town with
an overlay (buffer) of about $114,000. Previously,
the overlay was budgeted at only $10,000.
The $10 rate is a 13% drop from the prior year's rate
of $11.50. The decreased rate is due to citizen approval
of an 8.5% reduction in municipal spending, increased
state funding for SAD15, and increases in the Town's
total property values.
Two apply for SAD 15 Board vacancy
Two Gray residents have expressed interest in filling
the vacancy on the Gray-New Gloucester School Board.
The Gray Town Council has received letters of interest
from Sandy MacDonald and Will Burrow, both of whom
are interested in serving the remainder of Heather
Skilling's term which expires in June of 2006. Ms.
Skilling submitted a letter of resignation on July
25, citing the time demands of her new evening employment.
The Gray Town Charter specifies that the Council shall
select an interim director to serve until the next
municipal election.
Ms. MacDonald lives on Birchwood Road and has been
an active member of the school community for the past
five years. She has regularly attended the School
Board Finance Committee meetings and has been a member
of the Budget Advisory Committee. She is also an active
member of the Gray-New Gloucester PTSA and has participated
on numerous focus groups at both Russell and Dunn
schools.
Mr. Burrow, of Pleasant View Drive, has been a resident
of Gray for about 10 years. He has graduate training
in special education, has volunteered at Russell School,
and served three terms on the Budget Advisory Committee.
His letter of interest cites varied employment experiences:
public education, state government in several states,
private business, individual consulting and university
teaching.
The Council plans to make a decision at its regular
meeting on September 6.
