Oakland Town Council approves revaluation payment schedule - Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel

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OAKLAND — The Town Council voted Wednesday to approve a payment schedule for a $340,000 townwide revaluation planned for 2026.

The 5-0 vote followed an update by interim Town Manager Kelly Pinney-Michaud, who said the town put aside $100,000 this year, which allows it to begin payments in 2024, with $72,000 to be paid between January and June and $28,000 to be carried over to fiscal year 2025. Money would be budgeted from 2025 to 2027, according to the payment schedule.

Councilors voted Oct. 25 to award a contract to KRT Appraisal of Haverhill, Massachusetts, to perform the revaluation.

“This is a great budgeting tool for knowing what we’re going to need to pay and need to budget, so it’s an option,” Pinney-Michaud said Wednesday of the payment schedule. “It’s better than paying $340,000 all at once.”

In other matters Wednesday, resident Alan Sturtevant recommended improvements be made to the town’s transfer station, including ways to make it easier for people to dump garbage in a more hygienic environment and create a more efficient way to dispose of recyclables.

“You’re always walking through people’s garbage,” Sturtevant said of the trash disposal setup.

He said when it rains, people disposing of trash at the station on Town Farm Road get smelly garbage on their shoes or boots, which brings the odor into their vehicles. Sturtevant suggested changing the elevation of the box trailer to make it easier for older people or those with disabilities to throw trash directly into it.

“The other issue is recycling,” Sturtevant said. “I think recycling is very important. I think we need to encourage recycling. I think our transfer station discourages recycling because of the way it’s laid out.”

He suggested self-dumping hoppers be situated in one place where people could dispose of items such as glass and cans. Now, they must go to different buildings to dispose of each type of item.

Sturtevant emphasized he was not complaining and he appreciates having a transfer station, but he thinks improvements can be made. He also pointed out there is a sign in front of the metal pile at the station that says taking anything from it constitutes theft. He asked what the problem is if someone sees a trailer hitch ball in the pile, for instance, and wants to take it.

“I don’t see the issue with it,” he said.

Council Chairman Mike Perkins said the town addressed that issue a few years ago, and it is an insurance issue if, for instance, someone steps on a nail or breaks a leg.

Pinney-Michaud said there was an issue in the past with someone filling a truck with metal and selling it, which is why the sign was placed there.

“I understand that,” Sturtevant said, “but don’t punish the entire community.”

Councilor Dana Wrigley Sr. said the town’s Transfer Station Committee has looked into having a recycling building where people could drive by and throw items to recycle into openings in a wall. There would have to be roofing over it, he said, and it would require a capital expense. Councilor David Groder said he was not opposed to restarting the committee to address issues that have been raised.

Perkins said the council will ask Pinney-Michaud to look into restarting the committee.

“I think we’re always looking for volunteers to serve on the committee,” he said.