TOWN OF AMITY

ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDING JANUARY 31, 2008

The following items have been omited from this online version:

• Michael Michaud - Letter
• Susan Collins - Letter
• Richard Clearly - Letter (2 sided)
• Roger Sherman - Letter

The Town Meeting Warrant can be found here and under the Town of Amity tab.
The Audit Report can be found here and under Town of Amity/Financials

January 2008

Another year has passed and it's time for the Annual Report.  We have done our best to show you the "people" where your tax dollars have been spent.  If anyone has any ideas or suggestions as to what they would like to see in future reports, please contact us at the Town Office and we will try to accommodate you in the future reports.

As everyone is aware Darrell Williams resigned as Town Manager in April.  Upon his resignation the Selectmen contacted me (Margaret Frye) and asked if I would fill in so the Town Office could be open for business.  I was appointed as a temporary for two months and then the Selectmen appointed me as Town Manager.

First, I would like to thank Joseph P. Ledger for his donation of cash to start the Town with money to make change with when I started in April.  This was because all of the money that had been collected prior to the change in administration was deposited in the bank.

Second, I want to thank Deborah Cone for cleaning and helping to organize the office.  This was a great help to me.  And, yes, you too Larry for moving my desk a couple of times.

Third, thank you Glendon Clifford for consolidating the Town Records and preparing financial statement for the auditor so that the year end audit for January 31, 2007 and the exit audit for April 3, 2007 could be completed.

Thank ‘s to all the Town people who helped me in anyway when I came back.

There have been many questions as to why the mil rate increased this past year.  There were several things that played a factor in the increase.

The Town voted at the Town Meeting in August to allow the residents the following:

•1.      To allow a 100% exemption on their Homestead Exemption, which allowed every   resident a $13,000.00 deduction off their property valuation.  The State of Maine only allowed the Town 70%, therefore, the money refunded from the state was short approximately $4,000.00.  That amount was raised through property tax.

•2.      To raise $10,000.00 for the Honor Roll.

•3.      To raise $10,000.00 for a new revaluation.

•4.      The Houlton Fire Department increased $2,146.00.

•5.      Education costs increased $12,984.09.

•6.      Unexpected expenses due to the Internal Revenue Service.

•7.      The Town Manager Wages increased approximately $3,000.00.

•8.      There were increases in County Tax, Ambulance Service, Insurance and the everyday operating expenses.

•9.      Also, the audit wasn't completed, therefore the Selectmen didn't have any balances in the accounts and weren't comfortable in bringing any money forward to reduce taxation.

I hope the above has answered some of the questions that you may have had, if you have others please feel free to ask.

            The Town now has the capability of registering new Motor Vehicles, and issuing number plates for cars and trucks.  We also offer the service of Moses (Maine Online Sportsman Electronic System), which allows us to issue all sport licenses and registration both resident and non-resident.

            Mary Beth Foley has been hired to do a complete Town Revaluation that will be completed before the 2008 taxes are released.  The Town will also have a new set of tax maps as soon as the revaluation is completed.  Once the revaluation has been completed, everyone will be notified with a preliminary tax statement stating what their property has been assessed and approximately what the mil rate will be and their approximate tax amount.  Each taxpayer will be given the opportunity if they chose to do so, to set up an appointment with Mary Beth to have a hearing to discuss any issues that they might have regarding their valuation before the final bills are sent out.  Don't ignore this notice if you do not agree with the value of your property.

            If you are a resident and have lived in the Town for one year prior to April 1^st of this year you are eligible for a Homestead Exemption.  Contact the Town Office to get an application as soon as possible.

            I hope I have answered some of the question you may have had.  If you have other questions don't hesitate to ask.

            I look forward to serving you all in the coming year.

Sincerely,

Margaret Frye, Town Manager.