Lubec board eyes tax status of area land trusts

Members of the Lubec Select Board, at their March 25 meeting, reviewed an analysis by Marc Perry, the town's assessor agent, of the town's property tax revenue losses resulting from the state's land‑use property categories for tree growth, open space, farmland and working waterfront. Those categories allow the valuation of property at the current use rather than the market value. Perry's report indicates that nearly 55% of the land in Lubec is categorized as current‑use, accounting for an $800,000 loss in tax revenue to the town.

Based on these findings the board will work to formalize a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) program for land trusts and other conservation organizations. "This is something other municipalities are doing," said Selectman Daniel Daley. The board will send letters to four land conservation organizations and include the data on tax revenue losses and request a donation. "These are hard numbers to justify asking for bread crumbs," said Selectman Mike Kelly.

Those at the meeting suggested also including information on the number of people unable to pay taxes and the town's property tax increases from year to year.

Harbormaster Ralph Dennison reported to the select board on the February 10 Lubec pier incident caused by the 80‑foot Ocean Provider, a subcontractor to Cooke Aquaculture. He stated, "This was not a reportable accident to the U.S. Coast Guard." Quoting federal regulations, he said that property damage has to be $75,000 or more. This caused some consternation among a few people at the meeting, who questioned how one could know the amount of damage.

Dennison explained that no one saw the accident happen. A fisherman called about broken pilings, and that is when Dennison looked at the video that showed the vessel at the pier but no collision. After an inspection at low tide, he could see the cracks in the pilings, and an emergency harbor board meeting was held that night. He also said that Cooke did not deny the damages, has been supportive of the process and agreed to pay for it. Repairs are estimated to be around $40,000, with a repair timeline not yet determined. The incident report and the minutes from the emergency harbor board meeting are publicly available at the town office.

The select board reviewed six bids to replace the roof on the red house at 123 Main St., across from the Dollar General store, and voted to award the bid to Redbeard's Roofing of Lubec for $14,773, on condition that disposal of shingles is included. Construction should start in late June or early July. In response to questions about the cost and deteriorating condition of the house, select board Chair Carol Dennison said, "The money is there for maintenance. It is already set aside, $20,800," so it will not be coming from additional taxes.

The board voted to place a $58,000 county tax payment credit back into the original fund, to hire a surveyor to assess potential right‑of‑way encroachment of a new building on Airport Road and to renew the contract of Assessor Agent Marc Perry for an additional $10,000 through August to correct and update the property tax database and examine any lack of equitability in property tax assessments.

The town office is closed on Friday, April 27, for election training. The next select board meeting will be at 5 p.m. on April 8, with a budget meeting preceding it, beginning at 3 p.m.