Staff Writer
EASTON — At a time when most town officials are looking for ways to cut their municipal budgets to prevent the need to raise their mil rates and, in turn, raise taxes, Easton has found itself in the unique situation of being able to lower their tax rate — if only for a one-year period.
Officials announced recently that the town’s tax rate has been lowered by 21 percent, dropping the mil rate from $20 to $15.65 per $1,000 of valuation.
“The selectmen were unanimous in recommending to reduce the mil rate in Easton, for the coming year, by more than 4 mils,” said Mike Corey, chairman of the Board of Selectmen.
Corey said that in a year that towns in Maine are generally facing higher cost of operation with declining revenues and interest rates, coupled with taxpayer frustration, Easton has “bucked the trend” this year.
“The town of Easton has always enjoyed the small-town scale of operations in its deployment of town government and services for its people. With a population of just over 1,200, Easton tries and keeps things simple,” said Corey, noting town officials work to communicate with “our customers.”
“We manage our resources conservatively,” added Corey.
Corey said the selectmen and town officials work for the taxpayers to ensure money is used in the most efficient manner.
“I think that they trust us in watching out for their best interests,” he said.
This year’s drop in taxes may be a one-time occurrence, but Corey said it couldn’t have come at a better time.
“This tax year there will be a one-time huge reduction as a result of ‘local industrial investments’ in infrastructure and new personal property at the plants, initiated by the industries. Additional reduction in taxes for the town is the result of a TIF (tax increment financing) contract that expired after 10 successful years,” said Corey.
Town Manager John Hangen said the success of area businesses has helped keep taxes low, preventing citizens from bearing the burden.
“McCain had the TIF. Now that’s expired. Huber made over a $40 million investment in their mill this year,” said Hangen. “They’re both great companies to do business with. We’re glad to have them here. They pay their share of taxes and provide many jobs, not just for Easton residents but people from surrounding communities.”
Easton’s budget for 2009 came in at $2,783,000.
“That includes both town and school portions,” said Hangen. “Easton has a great school system and wonderful citizens. It’s a great place to live.”
He credited the strong relationship between the town and businesses for the success of all involved.
“We are very proud of our longtime partnership with two very well-managed, user-friendly and environmentally-sensitive companies that produce superior products here in Easton. Those companies are McCain Foods and Huber Engineered Woods, LLC,” said Corey. “Both companies believe in and have invested in Easton, and these investments are helping all of our taxpayers at a time when businesses have cut back on local investments, hurting many communities in other parts of Maine.”
The school system, according to Corey, also factored into the equation, helping to keep taxes down for this budget year.
“Another influencing factor in this year’s tax rate setting is that the Easton School Department and Committee held costs down with level funding, matching the 2008 level without cutting educational services to Easton students,” he said.
Corey said while next year’s taxes will in all probability go up, he’s glad to share the current good news with the taxpayers of Easton.
“We don’t like to see this large a fluctuation in the mil rate, with the potential of it increasing again next year because of declining state funding, but this is a very unique year for our taxpayers,” said Corey. “They deserve the tax reduction now.”
