Alfred property taxpayers will see a 50 cent increase in the mil rate this year. TAMMY WELLS/Journal Tribune
ALFRED – The tax rate in Alfred is increasing by 50 cents this year, to $16.40 per $1,000 worth of the assessed property value, up from $15.90.
Alfred Treasurer Fred Holt said the municipal budget increased about $300,000 this fiscal year and the town’s contribution to RSU 57 by about $50,000.
The value of the town grew by about $5 million, but increases in everything from recycling costs to keeping up with the town’s commitment pave three miles of road a year have all contributed to the increase, said Alfred Selectman’s Board Chairman Tony Palminteri.
“Obviously the town is like any other institution whether it is a company, nonprofit organization, college or a family,” said Palminteri. “Every year costs of one form or another go up. Insurance, food, clothing, asphalt, utilities, payroll etc. We are no different. We hate raising taxes, but we do what must be done and the residents understand it.”
The tax rate had been the same, at $15.90, for the past two years, Palminteri pointed out. If the 50 cent mil rate increase had been spread over two years, he said, it would average out at 1.5 percent, which is below the rate of inflation.
A number of factors contributed to the rise in the tax rate, Palminteri said. There were small increases in the three-year snowplowing contract, larger fees for trash and recycling now that overseas markets have cracked down on the amount of plastic it will accept in recycling from the U.S., and more, such as road repair.
“We continue to work towards a 12 to 15 year cycle on paving, and have so far achieved that goal of three miles a year over the past three years,” Palminteri said in an email. “This will enable us to avoid more major and costly repairs that come with roads that have badly deteriorated when the time between repaving has been too long. We have a lot of catching up to do.”
He said the cost of asphalt took a “big jump” and pointed out that the state has had to cut back on its own construction plans because of much higher than anticipated costs.
Other increases include a 2.2 percent wage increase across the board for town employees.
The budget increases were approved by voters at the annual Town Meeting, held in June, Holt said.
There was no property revaluation.
The 50 cent increase means someone with a $200,000 home who paid $3,180 in property tax (without Homestead or other exemptions) last year will pay $3,280 this fiscal year.
Bills are expected to be in the mail within the next couple of days.
The first half of the property tax is due Oct. 1; the second is due April 1.
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com.
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