Boothbay selectmen are considering a property revaluation for 2018. According to the town’s tax assessor Mike O’Donnell, Boothbay’s 2017 state valuation of $952,200,000 is ‘inflated” resulting in higher county taxes and lower municipal revenue sharing and education funding. At the May 24 selectmen’s meeting, O’Donnell recommended a property revaluation beginning this summer. O’Donnell works for John E. O’Donnell & Associates, a New Gloucester firm specializing in tax assessing, equalization and mapping. The firm was hired 10 years ago to handle municipal tax assessing for Boothbay a couple years after the last revaluation. 

O’Donnell believes a revaluation would reduce Boothbay’s state evaluation, which is the highest in Lincoln County. O’Donnell characterized the ‘inflated” state valuation as negatively impacting local taxpayers. O’Donnell also had concerns about the previous revaluation. He described it as having a low quality rating and he supported his assertion by reporting in the past five years he’d done 190 tax abatements totaling $19 million.

“In a general sense, I see a lot of high values in town that in itself should be reason enough,” he said. “I’ve only adjusted valuations for people who have complained. You have 3,000 properties and I’m sure more are overvalued than undervalued. This is a problem that won’t fix itself.”

The firm proposed a $245,000 cost for a revaluation which would begin this summer and take effect in July 2018. The selectmen have discussed pursuing a revaluation for several years. For four years, residents have set aside funds for a revaluation into a capital improvement fund.

Selectmen don’t want to proceed with a revaluation until seeking a legal opinion about whether or not they have authority to spend budgeted capital improvement funds. If selectmen need voter authorization, the revaluation would likely take place this fall after a special November town meeting.

In other action, the board approved two innkeepers’, one liquor, and two special amusement license requests with 4-0 votes. Selectmen approved Cabbage Island Clambake’s Class I, II, III and IV restaurant liquor license renewal and seasonal special amusement permit, Boothbay Harbor Country Club’s special amusement permit, and White Anchor Inn’s innkeeper’s license renewal.

Selectmen also voted 4-0 to allow a one-week extension for the Carriage House to receive a state liquor license.

The board will meet next at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 14 in the municipal building.