Wiscasset selectman Phil DiVece has suggested the town look into charging tax-exempt organizations service fees.

At last week's selectmen's meeting DiVece explained the provisions of LD 1413, a bill that was carried over into the 2008 legislative session, which would allow cities and towns to charge such fees. The law has now been enacted and the Taxation Committee is trying to come up with a methodology establishing what those fees should be.

"I think this would be a very worthwhile effort for the town to be involved in," DiVece said. "We have many tax-exempt properties." Former selectman and current road commissioner Bob Blagden thanked DeVice for looking into the matter.

Like nearly every town in the state, Wiscasset has a number of tax- exempt organizations. The Chewonki Foundation, an environmental and educational nonprofit, has nearly $10 million worth of property, but unlike many nonprofits, still pays some taxes. According to Assessor's Agent Sue Varney, the foundation pays over $14,000, because municipalities are allowed to tax nonprofits on whatever portions of their assets are housing (the foundation has one small house and dormitories). Likewise, The Morris Farm pays taxes on $239,000 of value, which includes the living quarters, while over $100,000 is tax exempt. Both the Nickels Sortwell House and Tucker Castle, owned by Historic New England, are valued at slightly over $500,000; nearly $300,000 is taxable at Tucker Castle, because it is considered living quarters, and about $157,000 is taxable at the Nickels Sortwell House.

The value of churches in the town totals nearly $5 million. Other nonprofits that are tax exempt include fraternal organizations like the Wiscasset Grange and the American Legion.

Nonprofits which own land in Wiscasset, which is not taxable, include the Maine Coast Heritage Trust and the Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association. The Wiscasset Water District, which owns land and buildings, is valued at over $500,000

The value of U.S. government property and Lincoln County property is also significant: the post office on Main Street is valued at $521,000 and the county's three properties are valued at over $24 million.

In other action, rhe selectmen agreed to award a bid for one new cruiser for the police department to Wiscasset Ford. Requests for bids were sent out to Wiscasset Ford, Brunswick Ford, and Quirk Ford. Brunswick Ford did not submit a bid. The bid package included the trade-in of a 2001 and a 2004 cruiser. With the trade-ins, Quirk Ford bid $19,646 and Wiscasset Ford bid $18,804.

The new cruiser will be ordered now because it takes several months to install all the additional equipment the department needs. It will be paid for from the 2008-2009 budget which begins July 1.

The selectmen voted to go along with a recommendation from the Shellfish Committee that the salary of the warden, Jon Hentz, be raised from $11 to $12.50 an hour. Normally the town pays for 360 hours a year, but Hentz informed the committee he will be able to do the same work in about 245 hours next year. He receives $5,000. Richard Forrest told selectmen their budget would not change because the number of hours he works will be reduced to compensate for the raise in pay. He said the committee is also reviewing ordinances as they apply to issuing licenses.

"He's really done his job," Forrest said, referring to Hentz who also serves other towns, including Georgetown, Arrowsic and Woolwich, in the same capacity. "Just the fact that his name is out there is very effective - he's cut down on a lot of violations."

Faucher also announced that the town will be looking for someone to serve as the town's health officer, following the resignation of Dr. Stephen Reed. Faucher said he will be contacting area hospitals to see if there is anyone who would like to serve.