Alna’s tax rate hike climbs further

Weeks after agreeing to set this year’s tax rate at $23.35 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, Alna selectmen on Aug. 15 amended it to $23.50. First Selectman Nicholas Johnston explained, an accounting error factored into the first one. 

He said that after the July 22 vote, “it was discovered that there was an accounting error ... not on our end. It was ... the assessor’s office ... something to do with not carrying ... So now we need to go back and do the rate again.”

Last year’s rate was $21.45 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation. Third Selectman Coreysha Stone observed, the amended 2024 rate was still not as big a jump as 2023’s rate was, after years with no rate hike.  

According to a town email, the town office was set to be closed Aug. 16 so staff could prepare and mail the 2024 tax bills.

Discussing the amended rate, selectmen noted the town-wide revaluation set for 2026 will put the town back on track for state reimbursements Johnson said have been getting pared. And he said he is trying to see if the revaluation could be moved up, “’cause that will just help us gain what we need from the state ... so hopefully that (bump up to 2025) will happen.”

The board again put another 180 days on a moratorium while a committee works on a mining and blasting ordinance or ordinances. Residents’ comments were mixed. Some said the extension is not needed and voters already rejected an ordinance, before selectmen created the committee ; others said the extension is free or nearly free insurance against projects the town might not want. Second Selectman Steve Graham said the committee, which he serves on, is making progress and still has a ways to go.

Selectmen renewed the town’s contract with Wiscasset Ambulance Service for $27,441; and held off renewing the one with Wiscasset Transfer Station pending more information from Wiscasset. They planned to ask Wiscasset to consider changing how it figures the bill. 

From 12:30 to 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 at Village School at Puddle Dock, Studio B and Lincoln County Recovery Community Center will put on an event that is part of the “19 Towns, 19 Stories” series, Ed Pentaleri said. The series seeks to “uncover the hidden struggles and triumphs of our families, friends and neighbors affected by addiction,” an early announcement from organizer Peter Bruun stated.