By Bethany Zell
Special to the Aroostook Republican
After the standard call to order of the Woodland Board of Selectmen meeting held on Nov. 19, monthly reports were heard. Highlights include motor vehicle excise tax revenues are up $4,800 from last year and 22 real estate properties are at risk of foreclosure. In accordance with the foreclosure policy adopted in late 2012 by the Board of Selectmen for a second chance post-foreclosure, two residents had requested payment arrangements on their outstanding property taxes that did not comply with the terms of the policy. The board will inform them of the policy and proceed according to the terms of the policy enacted.
The office update also informed that the board will be looking to fill the Emergency Management Agency liaison position being vacated by Robert Ekman. Steve Dumais, Highway Department road commissioner, presented the board with a rough draft proposal of a four-year road construction plan.
Lewis Cousins, Woodland’s code enforcement officer, reported that he is currently working with three residents who have failing septic systems to help them secure state Department of Environmental Protection grant funding for their repairs. An executive session was called to protect the privacy of one resident involved in ongoing issues with one DEP septic system that has already been installed and violations that have occurred.
Cousins also followed up on the licensed daycare property tax issue that was discussed last month. In order to maintain equal treatment of all business owners, licensed daycare providers in Woodland will receive letters requesting information needed to determine personal property tax liability for items used in their business. Cousins said that the “revenue will not amount to much due to the minimal appraisal value.”
In looking at how other towns consolidated costs, a motion was made by Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Brian Ostlund, to contact a neighboring town to determine interest in combining certain services.
“This model is working very well for the towns of Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman,” Ostlund said in a post meeting interview. “We are always entertaining ideas that might help create taxpayer savings and improvement in services for the residents of Woodland.” The motion carried.
A fiscal year 2014 budget meeting will be held on Monday, Dec, 2 at 4:30 p.m. at the Woodland Town Office.
