Woolwich property owners will see a small increase in their 2017-18 property taxes. After setting the tax rate Monday night, the select board announced tax bills will be in the mail this week.

Chair David King Sr. said the rate increased 1.4 percent, from $14.20 to $14.40 for every thousand dollars of assessed valuation, and follows two years of flat rates. 

The vote to set the tax commitment followed discussion of a bond proposed by Regional School Unit 1 for the new Morse High School. If approved in November by RSU voters, this will increase Woolwich tax bills by $30.96 for each $100,000 in valuation, beginning next year for 20 years. A homeowner whose home is valued at $200,000 would see about a $62 increase in their property taxes, said King.

In an email to the Wiscasset Newspaper, Selectman Allison Hepler stated the board felt a more gradual rise in property taxes was prudent in anticipation of a higher tax increase should the school bond be approved on Nov. 7.

Hepler noted RSU 1 administrators and budgetary staff would attend the select board’s Oct. 16 meeting to explain the proposed high school bond. The meeting in the town office hearing room will begin at 6 p.m. Hepler urged residents with questions to mark the date on the calendar and plan to attend.

Town Administrator Suzette Cloutier said Woolwich’s 2017-18 budget totaled $5.6 million – voters approved a $1.56 million budget and $4.49 million for education. Municipal spending increased $65,000 over last year, most of that for the purchase of a fire truck. The town’s share of the Sagadahoc County budget rose $2,000 and Woolwich’s share of the RSU budget increased $100,000 over last year.

On the positive side, Cloutier added, the town received approximately $20,000 more from excise taxes over last year. The town office staff also collected close to $100,000 in back taxes.

Over the last fiscal year, Woolwich received an additional $6 million in valuation, according to Juanita Wilson Hennessey, the town town’s assessing agent.