LITCHFIELD — The town’s tax rate dropped Wednesday when selectmen, acting as the Board of Assessors, set property taxes at $11.95 per $1,000 worth of value.

Previously, property owners paid $12.15 per $1,000 worth of valuation.

The new rate is in effect for fiscal 2012, the tax year running from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.

The tax rate has fluctuated over the past few years. In fiscal year 2009, it was $11.85 per $1,000 worth of value; in 2008, it was $12.60 per $1,000.

 

Annual Lithgow sale in mid-September

AUGUSTA — Lithgow Public Library’s annual book sale, sponsored by the Friends of Lithgow Library, will be held from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 16 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 17.

The popular event will be held in the former Fashion Bug store in the Augusta Plaza on Western Avenue. All sales will benefit library programs and services.

A ticketed preview party will be held Sept. 15.

“This annual event is the Friends’ biggest fundraiser, and a great way for booklovers to satisfy their cravings for new reads,” said Lithgow Director Elizabeth Pohl. “Customers can feel good about how the sale will benefit the library, and they can get some terrific bargains at the same time.”

The Friends of Lithgow Library seeks volunteers to assist with sorting, transporting, assistance during the sale, and clean-up. Interested individuals can contact Lithgow Library at 626-2415.

Donations of gently used books, audio books, music CDs and DVDs are gladly accepted. The library does not accept textbooks, encyclopedias, condensed books or moldy items.

Donations may be dropped off at the book sale site every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in August from 9 a.m. to noon; Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Items may also be dropped off at the library during regular business hours.

Lithgow Library is at 45 Winthrop St. For more information, call the library at 626-2415 or visit www.lithgow.lib.me.us.

 

Readfield’s DPW audit release is delayed

READFIELD — The town’s public works audit was supposed to be completed by Friday, but the report will not be available for several more days.

The audit — which will compare the costs of a public works department with those of hiring private companies for plowing, paving and other work — was scheduled for discussion at a special meeting of the Board of Selectmen on Thursday.

But following the Wednesday afternoon meeting of an ad hoc committee comprising both proponents and opponents of the former Public Works Department, the report was removed from Thursday’s agenda.

The ad hoc committee requested additional time for the auditor to work on the report, Town Manager Stefan Pakulski said. The new, tentative plan is for the auditor to deliver the report to the Board of Selectmen on Aug. 23.

A referendum to re-establish the public works department will take place on Sept. 14, to be preceded by a public hearing Aug. 31.

Compiled from staff reports