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Town administrator says revaluation likely to lower Harpswell’s mill rate; abatement process explained
Summary
Town Administrator told residents the 2026 property revaluation is based on market sales, suggested the mill rate could fall from $6.66 (2025) to potentially below $5, and reminded homeowners of the abatement process and how municipal, school and county budgets affect taxes.
The Town Administrator reviewed the town’s 2026 property revaluation and told residents that the updated proposed valuation notices were mailed and that the new valuations rely on market sales data. She said some letters were returned due to outdated addresses and encouraged people to contact the assessing office to view property cards online.
"So 2025 was $6.66," the Town Administrator said, and she added that the mill rate is likely to decrease and could be "potentially below $5." She cautioned that circulating social-media claims that the mill rate would be $14 were incorrect. The administrator also explained that voters and separate jurisdictions (school district SAD 75 and the county commission) approve distinct budgets and that the town’s authority to change budget elements is limited; the board can only set the overlay for abatement purposes under state law.
She recommended that residents use the assessor’s online tools to check their assessments and noted that, after the board accepts proposed valuations, tax bills will be based on those figures; residents still have an opportunity to pursue an abatement.
Next steps: the board will accept or finalize the proposed valuation figures at a future meeting; residents were advised to make appointments to discuss valuations with the reassessment company or the assessing office.
