Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Newry selectmen flag $42,454 Oxford County assessment error; approve assessor contract and grant filings
Summary
Selectmen learned the town owes an additional $42,454 due to an Oxford County assessment error, approved an assessor contract through June 2026, and heard administrative updates on LRAP funding, FEMA storm aid and cemetery repairs.
The Town of Newry Selectmen on Aug. 6 were told an Oxford County assessment error means the town now owes an additional $42,454 beyond what the bill reflected, and they approved routine administrative actions including a new assessor contract.
The board recorded the county assessment discrepancy during an adjustment to the meeting agenda; the minutes do not name who raised the item. The discrepancy will increase Newry’s assessed obligations by $42,454, according to the agenda note.
Why it matters: the added assessment will affect the town’s fiscal obligations ahead of tax commitment. The selectmen also voted to accept the assessor’s contract for the period July 1, 2024–June 30, 2026, a measure the board approved unanimously.
Town Administrator Loretta Powers reported other financial and operational updates. Powers said the town filed for Local Road Assistance Program (LRAP) funds totaling $14,784 and has received FEMA funds related to the May 2023 storm; the minutes do not specify the FEMA amount. She also noted an outstanding insurance claim with MTK for storm damage and said staff are awaiting additional information from that vendor.
Powers summarized ongoing administrative tasks: background-check procedures are under review pending InforME, roadside mowing has begun, and election training for staff is scheduled for Sept. 12 in Portland. She also said assessors are conducting field work, with an assessor visit scheduled for Aug. 19 and a plan to commit taxes at the next Select Board meeting.
The minutes recorded cemetery maintenance items: a sunken plot has been loamed and seeded, and some gravestones are broken or tipped; the minutes advise contacting Pat Feeney, who has previously performed repairs. Powers mentioned that Jack Taylor is willing to provide drone footage of the cemeteries to support condition assessments.
The board did not hold an audit review because the town’s books had not yet arrived. Several agenda items—transfer station and road commissioner/code officer reports—were referenced with direction to see the supporting reports for details.
The meeting adjourned at 5:38 p.m.; the board set its next meeting for Aug. 20, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. at the Town Office.
