Half a year after first approaching Midcoast Conservancy, Alna selectmen expect to meet soon with a representative of the nonprofit about the board’s request for a contribution in lieu of taxes.

Third Selectman Doug Baston said the conservancy asked for and got information on the taxes the organization pays on the six taxable properties out of its 11 properties in town; afterward, executive director Jody Jones asked to be placed on a January agenda, Baston said. However, the meeting was not set yet because he would like all three selectmen to be there for it, if possible, Baston said Jan. 12.

Selectmen decided June 29, 2016, to approach the conservancy about a yearly contribution. At the time, transition and finance director Steve Patton said a uniform policy might be developed for fielding towns’ requests; he also cited the organization’s services to the public including programs and access to Alna’s Trout Brook and Bass Falls preserves. In October, Jones said her goal was to have an indication of the organization’s plans regarding Alna’s request by year’s end.

In a phone interview Jan. 12, Jones declined to say how she planned to respond to the request. She wants to speak with the selectmen first, she said.

Jones’ letter to the town in the 2015-16 town report describes the conservancy as a land trust formed from the merger of Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association, Hidden Valley Nature Center, Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association and Sheepscot Wellspring Land Alliance. The tax list for 2015 showed the town taxed SVCA a total of $1,591.73; SVCA was exempt from paying taxes on five properties valued at a total of $294,073, according to the list.

As of Tuesday, Jan. 17, Baston expected that at the Wednesday, Jan. 18 board meeting, members would talk about scheduling the discussion. 

Baston doubted Gov. Paul LePage’s newly proposed changes regarding exemptions for land trusts and nonprofits would factor into the talks with Jones. “No, I think that discussion (on LePage’s budget plan) will take place on another plane.” He said other towns, with more tax-exempt property than Alna has, face more of an impact from any changes the state makes. “For us, it’s more or less symbolic,” he said about the board’s request for a voluntary contribution.

Whatever taxes one property owner doesn’t pay, the town’s other property owners have to, he said. “It’s a zero sum game.” Having a yearly contribution would be a basis for regular dialogs on how the organization can best serve the town and how the town can work with the conservancy for everyone’s benefit, Baston said.

LePage has made a new series of proposals to lower homeowners’ property taxes. According to further information the governor’s office provided at the newspaper’s request, the proposed changes include eliminating the tax exemption for land trusts.

“They could, however, enter their land into open space and receive a 90-95 percent reduction in the overall assessment,” LePage press secretary Adrienne Bennett writes in Friday’s email response to questions. “The budget language provides that land trust organizations’ lands are not exempt from property taxation and provides for the lands to instead be enrolled in the Open Space Program with up to a 95 percent reduction in the land’s assessed value for property tax purposes. This part also removes the 15,000-acre limit on the number of acres that an organization can have enrolled in the Open Space Program.”

Jones had no immediate comment on the proposed changes at the state level. She noted the conservancy is a new member of the Maine Environmental Priorities Coalition, which she said has opposed the governor’s past attempts to remove exemptions.

Selectmen’s Jan. 18 meeting is set for 6 p.m. at the town office.