Dover-Foxcroft sets $16.90 mill rate

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Dover-Foxcroft Select Board approved the 2025-26 tax commitment during Monday night’s meeting, with the mill rate to be $16.90 per every $1,000 assessed property or a 10-cent decrease from a rate of $17 for the previous fiscal year.

The total Dover-Foxcroft municipal valuation is around $530 million, Bill Van Tuinen of William Van Tuinen Tax Assessment Service of Madison said. The town needs to raise a gross total of $12,354,392 which includes over $8.6 million for the town budget, about $2,946,300 for Dover-Foxcroft’s share of the RSU 68 budget as well as its portion of the Piscataquis County tax

After applying nearly $3.65 million in revenue sources, a net budget of $8,706,546 needs to be raised before the overlay.

The mill rate could range from about $16.40 to $17.22 and Van Tuinen recommended an in-between rate of $16.90.

“That would provide an overlay of $266,357,” he said.

“$16.90 is in the ballpark in terms of calculating an overlay similar to an overlay in last year’s mill rate,” Van Tuinen added.

In other business, the select board approved reconvening the comprehensive plan review committee.

Unlike in the past, the plan is to have a separate ordinance review committee, Select Chair Steve Grammont said. The review processes typically take about a year.

Those interested in serving on either group can fill out a statement of interest form, available at the town office and at www.doverfoxcroft.org under the employment and volunteer opportunities tab.

During public comment, Piscataquis Area Community Center Executive Director gave an update on the Park Street facility.

Sandblasting continues on the pool area as 4-5 feet can be taken care of in 4-5 hours and the goal is to have the work done later in the week.

Engineers will look at the pool once sandblasting is complete to make sure everything is ready to be sealed, Stewart said.

The center now has around 1,600 members.

“We’re definitely on the right track and heading in the right direction,” Stewart said.