By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
LIMESTONE — The Limestone Selectpeople approved the mil rate at 22 during their Sept. 1 meetingbut Town Manager Donna Bernier advised the public to be aware that their taxes will increase even though the mil level is the same as it was last year.
“With the mil rate staying the same, there will be a slight increase when the citizens get their tax bill because the Homestead Exemption has changed from $13,000 down to $10,000,” she explained. With the Mil rate of 22, that will mean a roughly $48 increase for the tax bills of Limestone’s average residents.
After a lengthy executive session, the board also voted in favor of moving forward with the participation of the Limestone Police Department’s in a special detail. Selectpeople Fred Pelletier, Jimmy Pelletier and Chair Walt Elliot voted in favor of participation; Tom Devoe opposed participation and while absent from the meeting and unable to cast a vote, Jim Leighton had expressed to Elliott earlier that he was also opposed to participation.
Jimmy Pelletier described participation in the program as a ‘win-win’ for the town, which Fred Pelletier and Elliott agreed.
The selectpeople also opened bids on municipal trash removal services and a 1990 Chevy van, awarding the bids to the lowest and highest bidder, respectively.
During her Manager’s Report, Bernier informed the selectpeople that officials involved in the construction and establishment of the new Limestone Manor facility would be willing to sign an agreement with the town stating their intent to build; according to Bernier, the town’s lawyer will be drawing up the contract.
Two special town gatherings were discussed, a public hearing on Monday, Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. regarding a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) through the U.S. Department of Agriculture submitted by the Loring Development Authority (LDA) and a town meeting regarding the appropriation of funds for the new Limestone Manor, which the selectpeople agreed to set for Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m.
According to President and CEO of the Loring Development Authority Carl Flora, the grant would assist new business Northern Maine Paving, which is interested in developing a source of rock at Loring to use in road construction and paving.
The next meeting of the Limestone Selectpeople is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 6:30 at the Municipal Building in Limestone.
