Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Searsport – Searsport voters could see a few unusual items on the town meeting warrant this year, including questions seeking funding for a town-wide revaluation and approval of a moratorium on marijuana retail businesses.
Town Manager James Gillway said the last revaluation took place more than a dozen years ago. With an increase in construction, he noted it is a good time to assess the town's overall value.
"There's some value in Searsport to still capture," Gillway said.
He estimated the revaluation would cost between $100,000 and $140,000, based on a recent revaluation done in Stockton Springs, which cost that town about $90,000, Gillway said. He noted there is more personal property to consider in Searsport.
Funding already set aside in anticipation of the revaluation – approximately $27,000 – will reduce the total amount requested. The money will be taken from the undesignated fund created by the state refund of retirement accounts, which currently has a balance of $460,000, Gillway said, unless voters chose to borrow it instead.
"I don't think they would want to borrow when we have the money," he said.
In addition to capturing new value of properties, the revaluation will allow more information input for the computer program TRIO, which documents property information, and will start the new assessor with a fresh slate, Gillway said. He noted the paper cards currently used to track property information will continue to be used, even as TRIO is updated.
"We aren't using the power of the program that we have," he said.
Selectmen agreed to allow Gillway to issue a request for proposal for the revaluation, with the intention that proposals be returned near the town meeting date in March, when voters will chose a funding source.
"This is money we have to spend and it's the time to spend it," Gillway said.
Residents also could be asked to consider a moratorium on retail marijuana locations. Gillway said the state needs time to build rules before any retail stores can begin selling recreational marijuana, which was approved by voters in November by a narrow margin. He praised selectmen for not having "a knee-jerk reaction in November" because, by law, moratoriums expire after 180 days and can only be renewed once. Approving a moratorium at town meeting this year, Gillway said, will give the state time to craft language and rules, as well as allowing the town a one-time 180-day extension, so the town will be ready by March 2018 to follow state rules regarding retail marijuana.
"The moratorium delays ... and gives us breathing room," he said.
A Planing Board public hearing is planned Jan. 23 for a variety of ordinance changes expected to be on the town warrant as well.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Revaluation, Retail Marijuana Expected On Warrant
Author: Stephanie Grinnell
Contact: 207-338-3333
Photo Credit: Ron Ward
Website: The Republican Journal
Town Manager James Gillway said the last revaluation took place more than a dozen years ago. With an increase in construction, he noted it is a good time to assess the town's overall value.
"There's some value in Searsport to still capture," Gillway said.
He estimated the revaluation would cost between $100,000 and $140,000, based on a recent revaluation done in Stockton Springs, which cost that town about $90,000, Gillway said. He noted there is more personal property to consider in Searsport.
Funding already set aside in anticipation of the revaluation – approximately $27,000 – will reduce the total amount requested. The money will be taken from the undesignated fund created by the state refund of retirement accounts, which currently has a balance of $460,000, Gillway said, unless voters chose to borrow it instead.
"I don't think they would want to borrow when we have the money," he said.
In addition to capturing new value of properties, the revaluation will allow more information input for the computer program TRIO, which documents property information, and will start the new assessor with a fresh slate, Gillway said. He noted the paper cards currently used to track property information will continue to be used, even as TRIO is updated.
"We aren't using the power of the program that we have," he said.
Selectmen agreed to allow Gillway to issue a request for proposal for the revaluation, with the intention that proposals be returned near the town meeting date in March, when voters will chose a funding source.
"This is money we have to spend and it's the time to spend it," Gillway said.
Residents also could be asked to consider a moratorium on retail marijuana locations. Gillway said the state needs time to build rules before any retail stores can begin selling recreational marijuana, which was approved by voters in November by a narrow margin. He praised selectmen for not having "a knee-jerk reaction in November" because, by law, moratoriums expire after 180 days and can only be renewed once. Approving a moratorium at town meeting this year, Gillway said, will give the state time to craft language and rules, as well as allowing the town a one-time 180-day extension, so the town will be ready by March 2018 to follow state rules regarding retail marijuana.
"The moratorium delays ... and gives us breathing room," he said.
A Planing Board public hearing is planned Jan. 23 for a variety of ordinance changes expected to be on the town warrant as well.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Revaluation, Retail Marijuana Expected On Warrant
Author: Stephanie Grinnell
Contact: 207-338-3333
Photo Credit: Ron Ward
Website: The Republican Journal