The Lisbon Reporter

WELCOME TO THE LISBON REPORTER. In an effort to keep our community informed of what is going on at local and Federal levels of government, we decided to create this on-line newspaper. It is our hope that this on-line newspaper will help you stay informed so that you can get involved and take action for the benefit of our ENTIRE community. Thank you for visiting and please check back frequently for information about what is happening in LISBON/LISBON FALLS, MAINE USA

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Must Have Been Too Tuff Of A Meeting For That UP RIVER Paper

"Assessment gaffe sends Lisbon taxpayers into a tizzy

By Darcie Moore, Times Record Staff

Published:

Wednesday, September 22, 2010 2:19 PM EDT

LISBON — Residents enraged by property tax bills that increased approximately 10 percent filled Lisbon’s Town Council chambers and spilled into the hallway Tuesday night as town councilors discussed how to deal with the problem.

Acknowledging that town officials still have many questions to answer, councilors voted unanimously (7-0) to eliminate any tax interest or penalties on property tax bills for the current fiscal year.

Town Manager Steve Eldridge also informed those in attendance that assessor Pat Dow was fired Monday.

Residential and business property tax bills spiked because town staff apparently overassessed the value of the Dingley Press property by a significant margin. To compensate for that error, municipal staff increased the tax bills for other town properties.

Residents, business owners and some town councilors — who railed against the tax bill increases during meetings Friday and Tuesday — criticized Eldridge and municipal staff for failing to provide adequate notification of the Dingley Press assessment error and the resulting spike in tax bills for other properties in town."