Guilford field work on assessments under way

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    GUILFORD — The town of Guilford’s assessor’s agent, Danielle Smith, will be visiting all properties over the next 18 months to make adjustments on the town’s valuation, according to Town Manager Tom Goulette. Smith’s plans were announced at the Sept. 3 meeting of the Board of Selectmen.

    According to the Maine Revenue Service’s annual sales ratio study, Guilford’s property values are 14 percent higher than they should be, Goulette said. “We had a complete revaluation in 2007. That was at the height of the recession when property values were dropping like a rock,” Goulette said. As the economy improved, so did the property valuation for tax purposes, Goulette explained. However, they should be within 90 to 110 percent of actual values, according to state guidelines.
    In any case, the new valuations won’t show up until the 2015 tax bills, said Goulette, and the mil rate would be adjusted according to the new figures. “This shouldn’t affect the average homeowner. But Danielle will be looking for all the major changes that occurred since 2007. We’ve got the money in the budget to do it,” said Goulette.
    In other business discussed at the Board of Selectmen’s meeting, the compact track loader bid was awarded to Jordan Equipment Company for the Bobcat T630. The unit is heavier and has more lift capacity than the nearest competitor and was, in fact, the lowest bid received.
    Goulette also reported that the Maine Town, City and County Management Association (MTCMA) Institute held recently at Sunday River was well-attended and very informative. He was recognized for meeting the professional development criteria of the MTCMA Certified Manager Program which required 240 hours of work, participation, education and service beyond the scope of employment in a three-year period, and 700 hours had been completed.
    Joe Gallant’s summer recreation report about activities and turnout was presented to the board and they agreed to retain him for next summer.
    The annual Leaf Peeper’s Tour, a recreational offering for senior citizens, is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 10. The destination has not been finalized, but buses are being reserved for that date.
    The Guilford Historical Society is planning their Fall Harvest Festival on Saturday, Sept. 21 and has requested permission to use town property once again for this event. They asked to use the Braeburn and Edes lots on North Main and Water streets and have collaborated with the Red Maple Inn for musical entertainment. Selectmen approved the request unanimously.