Woodstock mil rate spikes

WOODSTOCK — Under the proposed budget for 2011 presented at Tuesday's Selectmen's meeting, Woodstock's mil rate is estimated at 0.01505, up from the rate of 0.0126 used for the past two years.

This would result in property tax assessments of $1,505.60 on each $100,000 of real property values.

Town Manager Vern Maxfield presented a budget totaling $2,546,179, with $2,070,068 estimated to be raised from taxes.

The largest change is an increase of $90,000 for a new plow truck, in accordance with the town's capital equipment plan.

Other significant increases include $15,000 for a starting account for future repairs on the town-owned dam at the outlet to Bryant Pond's Lake Christopher, amd $15,000 for the proposed enhanced mutual aid agreement between the Woodstock and Greenwood Fire Departments.

School assessments for the financially-troubled SAD 44 district are not yet known, and will not be voted on until June.

Almost all other line items are the same as last year, or down slightly. The proposed budget is available for review at the town office.

Maxfield also reported that the Conservation Committee wants "five minutes at town meeting" to present information on the proposed Open Space Plan it is working on.

He anticipates that Patriot Renewables will soon appear before the Planning Board seeking building permits for their proposed wind turbine project on Spruce Mountain.

"Nobody has appealed from the Woodstock Board of Appeals decision and the time for such appeal is over,"according to Maxfield. He went on to say that he is unaware of any further appeals filed in the court.

The town's insurance premium is up for renewal and this bill is up by 33 percent. Alternative quotes are being sought.

The Planning Board is working on an updated Shoreland Zoning Ordinance.

A quote was recieved for insulating the town library. A recent inspection found either "nothing" or just "fluffy stuff" in the older portion of the building. There will be a warrant article to see whether the town wishes to proceed with improving the insulation. Considerable savings in heating fuel are anticipated.

Selectman Bruce Korhonen expressed concerns about maintenance at the town's ballfields, saying they "were not well taken care of last year." All Selectmen agreed to tighten up this summer's maintennce standards when the contract goes out for bid.

After discussion of various ways to irrigate the ballfields, they went into Executive Session to discuss possible pay raises and employee evaluations.

No citizens attended the meeting. The next regular meeting is set for March 1, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.