Sandy River Plantation board reaffirms three-factor regional funding formula, directs clerk to notify Rangeley officials

The Sandy River Plantation Board of Assessors reaffirmed support for the existing three-factor regional funding formula during its June 2 meeting and instructed the clerk to notify Town of Rangeley officials of the board’s understanding and recommendations.

The board said the formula should continue to rely on: annual housing unit counts obtained from municipal assessing software as of April 1; state valuation figures; and resident counts derived from municipal voter rolls. Board members acknowledged limitations of voter-registration data but said it is consistently available across participating municipalities.

By motion of Assessor Lisa Kinsman, seconded by Assessor Rodney Varney, the board directed Clerk Ethna L. Thompson to prepare correspondence to the Town of Rangeley and the Rangeley Board of Selectmen describing Sandy River Plantation’s view of the recent regional discussion and recommending procedures for administering the formula going forward. The minutes do not record a numerical roll-call tally for the motion; the action is noted as approved.

First Assessor Rodney Varney said participating communities contribute to regional fire-protection services and recommended periodic opportunities to discuss regional public-safety and emergency-management matters with the Fire Chief. The board also said it would value majority attendance by the Town of Rangeley Board of Selectmen and the Fire Chief at regional meetings when agenda items relate to their responsibilities.

The clerk will prepare and send the requested correspondence; the minutes do not indicate a timetable for that letter or whether a regional response is expected prior to the Annual Town Meeting.