Minutes
Bethel Board of Assessors
Drafted 9.29.2010
September 1, 2010, 8:00 AM Town Office
Members Present: Stan Howe, Robert Everett, David Luxton, Bob Blake, Donald
Bennett
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Sarah S. Tucker, Assessing Assistant, Bill Van Tuinen, Jake Van
Tuinen, Assessors Agents
Others Present: James Doar, Town Manager
There is a full recording of the meeting in Windows Media Audio file format
1. Call to Order
Vice Chairman Robert Everett called the meeting to order. Chairman Stan Howe arrived shortly thereafter.
2. Approval of Minutes: August 11, 2010
Don Bennett made the motion to approve the minutes, Bob Blake seconded the motion; Bob Blake made a correction to the minutes. The minutes were unanimously approved as amended.
3. Woodstock Town Line Update
The Assessing Assistant reported that Barry Allen, PLS of Maine-Land Development Consultants had collected additional GPS points along the Bethel-Woodstock Town Line.
The line has now been drawn more correctly on the tax maps. Landowners receiving Bethel tax bills for the first time had been notified in writing. Additionally it had been determined that one house, belonging to Stuart Wentworth, was actually located in Woodstock. The Town of Woodstock had been notified of all changes.
4. Commitment of Taxes FY 2011
Bill VanTuinen proposed a reordering of the agenda; all agreed.
Jim Doar led the discussion by proposing a postponement of commitment. He stated the
draft audit indicated a surplus of $1,014,000; he suggested that up to $700,000 could be used to lower the tax rate. Jim stated that this action would require a special Town Meeting. There was considerable discussion.
Bill Van Tuinen distributed a Tax Calculation worksheet. The Board reviewed the amounts of money to be raised. After reviewing the figures Bill stated that the minimum rate to raise the necessary revenues was $11.00 per mil; last years rate was $10.50 per mil. This would be roughly a 5% increase. Bill stated that the choices to raise necessary revenues would be to set the tax rate at the minimum $11.00 per mil or go to Special Town Meeting.
There was considerable discussion. After discussion Bob Blake made the motion to set the tax rate at $11.00 per mil; Robert Everett seconded the motion. There was further discussion. After discussion the motion was unanimously approved.
5. Oxford County Assessment
The Board signed the Oxford County Assessment.
6. Preliminary 2011 State Valuation
There was discussion of the preliminary 2011 State Valuation; no action was taken.
7. Other Business
Bill Van Tuinen stated that while researching a mapping question in the area around the airport he had discovered a parcel was significantly overvalued. Bill stated that the property was owned by Donald Bennett. Don Bennett stepped down from the Board.
Bill Van Tuinen recommended that account #4551 be abated $47,900 in value; a tax reduction of $502.95. There was discussion.
After discussion Robert Everett made the motion to abate $502.95, David Luxton seconded the motion; it was unanimously approved. Don Bennett abstained from voting.
Don Bennett rejoined the Board.
8. Adjourn
Robert Everett made the motion to adjourn; it was unanimously approved.
Board Members were asked to return to sign commitment papers later in the morning.
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