Property revaluation draws full house in Lubec

A full house gathered at the Lubec Select Board meeting on July 19 to hear Assessor's Agent Jacqueline Robbins discuss the state required town wide reassessment of property values. Robbins has participated regularly in select board meetings via Zoom; this was the first in person commentary in many months, although she has traveled widely around Lubec.
A wide range of topics came up during the half hour discussion, starting with her comments regarding properties within the town that have reduced taxes or no taxes. While recognizing that the Butler Conservation Fund properties are tax exempt, as are several others, she mentioned a conversation she had with representatives of that group where she pointed out that similar groups in other towns made contributions in lieu of taxes. She was told that "we like to do little things," which include helping with the Safe Harbor project, airport maintenance and other initiatives in the town. Robbins also said that the popular music instruction program SummerKeys is not entitled to a tax reduction, as they are a for-profit organization. In response to a question about the tax status of churches, she stated that the actual house of worship is exempt if it has an active congregation; if it has a parsonage, that building is entitled to a 20% reduction if the minister resides within, but other church properties are not so entitled.
Robbins said that more than one property owner claimed that the previous assessor's agent, Jim Clark, had told them that if work on the residence was not complete, they didn't have to pay. Robbins said she informed these owners that they would be billed at the regular rate, leading one to threaten litigation. She shrugged the threat off, stating, "I'll stand behind the law." Some in progress works will receive reduced assessments depending on how far along the work has progressed, she said. "If all you have is a slab, you'll be billed accordingly." An attempt to reach Clark for comment was not successful.
In response to a question, Robbins said that the Maine Property Tax Stabilization Program, which had allowed qualified property owners to pay at the previous year's rate, has been discontinued and would apply to only the current year's assessment. She said the program was "flawed from the beginning" and that the cost to the state far exceeded estimates.
"When the tax bills go out it's going to be a bit messy," as taxpayers work to adjust to the new assessments and mill rate, Robbins said. "The only way the taxes will increase," she said, "will be if the town spends more money."
Also on the agenda, planning board Chair Alex Henry addressed the board regarding the proposal to increase the setback included in the recently updated shoreland ordinance from 75 to 100 feet. "Following a recent public hearing," he said, "the board voted to leave the distance as it had been, at 75 feet." Other changes in the ordinance, he said, are mandated by the state and are chiefly updated language. The 75-foot setback is the minimum permitted by the state. The updated ordinance will be presented for voter approval at the annual business meeting on Wednesday, August 2.
In other business, the board voted 5-0 to advertise for an interim public works employee to help fill the gap by the absence of foreman Ricky Bradley, who is recovering from a work related injury.