FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — The Fort Fairfield Town Council voted Wednesday to decrease the town’s mill rate from 25.02 to 20.50, a change that will go into effect on Oct. 1 when the town sends residents their annual tax bills.
The new mill rate entails a tax commitment of $1,025 for properties valued at $50,000 and $2,050 for properties valued at $100,000. Residents who claim their current residence as their only one might also qualify for a Homestead Exemption that would decrease their home assessment by $25,000, thus decreasing their tax bill.
Councilor Robert Kilcollins recommended that the council postpone the mill rate vote to better educate themselves on the impact of the town’s recent revaluation, but Town Manager Andrea Powers noted that the council was obligated to vote before the Oct. 1 tax commitment.
She also said that the real estate and personal property revaluation — the first such endeavor the town has taken on since 1997 — will help make the tax commitments more “fair and equitable” for all residents, business owners and farmers, and ensure that no one pays more or less than “their fair share.”
Kilcollins opted to vote “no” on the mill rate, noting confusion that many residents have expressed to him in regards to the revaluation. The remaining four councilors voted to approve the mill rate, allowing the rate to pass.
In other business, director of public safety Shawn Newell officially swore in Timothy Browning as the new chief of Fort Fairfield Fire-Rescue. As the former deputy chief, Browning helped oversee the transition of the Fort Fairfield Fire Department into a fire-rescue that now includes ambulance service.
Browning will supervise a staff of 23 employees, six of whom are full time. Fort Fairfield Fire-Rescue officially began ambulance services in August, focusing solely on Fort Fairfield calls except when called by other fire departments for mutual assistance.
“I’d like to thank the council for their confidence in our department and our ability to do our jobs,” Browning said, while addressing the council. “I look forward to serving the town for many years to come.”
