PERHAM, Maine — Perham residents voted down proposals to increase municipal officers’ compensation and provide a 2 percent prompt payment discount for taxes.
At the town’s annual meeting on March 21, the town passed its 2023 budget of $500,781.
John Rasmussen was elected to the select board. Dean Plourde and Debra Viola won two seats on the SAD 45 school board.
“I am glad so many people came out and participated, it felt like pre-COVID levels,” Rasmussen said.
Around 36 people attended the annual town meeting.
The vote was tied on Article 3, which would increase the three select board members’ pay to $3,000 each plus $500 in payroll taxes.
Also included was $1,000 plus payroll taxes of $166.67 for each of three tax assessors.
Article 7 recommended a 2 percent discount on taxes paid within 20 days after billing, with 8 percent interest charged annually on all 2023 taxes paid after Nov. 1. Residents voted down the discount and the interest rate.
The select board will set a special town meeting date for another vote on Articles 3 and 7.
Residents voted down Article 12, which would allow Perham to spend $15,000 to clean up blighted tax-acquired properties.
Perham has four buildings in town that were deemed dangerous, but the residents of Perham voted it down wanting to weigh other options for the dangerous buildings.
A tax club for Perham began on Feb. 1, with tax totals divided by 12 months and paid once per month. To join, residents must have all past property taxes paid in full. Participants’ first payment was due in February, with the last payment due when the town’s fiscal year ends on Jan. 31, 2024.
