Richmond Select Board sets mill rate at 11.75, approves excavator purchase

The Richmond Select Board, sitting as the Board of Assessors, voted 5-0 to set the fiscal year 2026-27 mill rate at 11.75, the lowest rate that town officials said legally covers the budget approved at the June town meeting. The board also approved spending up to $139,025.05 from the vehicle reserve to replace a 21-year-old excavator at Public Works, and updated the General Assistance Ordinance.

Key points

• The board voted 5-0 to set the mill rate at 11.75, a 4.9 percent increase, after the town manager said legal advice from the Maine Municipal Association ruled out lower rates without another town meeting.
• Town Manager Jim Chandler said the town cannot set a mill rate below what funds the budget voters approved in June, and that the school and county budgets are locked in for the year.
• The board approved up to $139,025.05 from the vehicle reserve for a new Bobcat excavator with attachments, after a public hearing that drew questions about renting versus buying and about maintenance of the old machine.
• Resident Neil (last name unclear) questioned whether large purchases should return to a public vote, noting the reserve spending rules changed in 2019 to allow a public hearing instead of a town meeting vote.
• The board approved $7,380 plus a $2,000 contingency from the building reserve for siding and trim repairs at the town office, after a board member raised questions about reserve account spending authority.
• The town manager reported the New Mills Dam fish ladder proposal could cost Richmond $6 million to $11 million as a part owner, and recommended an executive session to review legal advice from Gardiner's attorneys.

Next steps

• Schedule an executive session at a future meeting to review legal advice on the New Mills Dam fish ladder proposal.
• Bring back a written maintenance plan and policy for the new excavator, and arrange a Select Board tour of the Public Works shop.
• Review two auditor proposals with school department leadership and set up a meeting with the board to select one.
• Explore moving the town meeting date and inviting the county commissioner to a future meeting, and check whether the assessor is under contract.
• Continue fire chief interviews this week and library director second interviews next Monday.

Read the full transcript