RANGELEY — The Rangeley Board of Selectmen meeting Monday drew a significantly larger crowd than usual, as residents from nearby plantations and unorganized territories turned out for updates on the regional funding formula used for property assessments.
The board reviewed updated numbers for that formula, continuing a discussion that began last winter. Officials aim to ensure that all plantations, UTs and the town receive fair, equitable and current assessments.
The current funding formula the town of Rangeley and the plantations use for property assessments relies on an average of three criteria: state valuation, number of dwellings and year‑round and seasonal population.
During a regional meeting in November 2025, attendees raised concerns about outdated data in the formula, especially dwelling counts based on the 2020 census. Participants agreed to submit updated dwelling numbers so officials could evaluate how more current data might affect funding allocations.
Updated calculations for fire and rescue services show a significant impact on Dallas Plantation and the town of Rangeley.
Sandy River Plantation resident Lisa Kinsman said the group agreed on an April 1 deadline each year to submit updated numbers, which officials then plug into the formula for future assessments.
“Overall, the difference that makes is Franklin County would go up to anywhere between 3.45 percent and 15.6 percent,” Kinsman said. “Oxford (County) would be going from 9.21 percent to 23.55 percent for a range.”
Kinsman’s figures underscored how sharply the updated data could shift each county’s share.
“So it’ll be fiscal year ’28 before I can accept any additional costs,” Tony Carter, Oxford County’s Unorganized Township manager, said, noting that the budget is due July 1.
Town Manager Joe Roach said the formula will always reflect a two‑year delay, as “that’s always been … its nature.”
To get a more precise population count, some attendees suggested using voter registration data, but those numbers fall far short of actual population. Rangeley has an estimated 2,200 to 2,300 residents, for example, but only about 1,100 registered voters. Others proposed using tax roll data to produce more accurate figures.
A special meeting focused solely on the formula — and the data needed to update it — is scheduled for September.
In other matters, town officials said they are increasingly concerned about a shortage of all‑terrain vehicle registration stickers in the state’s inventory. They described it as a state‑level issue. Municipal clerks and selectmen from across the county have drafted a letter to legislative representatives outlining the impacts of the sticker shortage.
Municipalities were authorized to begin issuing ATV registration stickers May 1, but several offices did not receive their inventory until May 26.
The delay is one example of what local officials describe as a “growing concern regarding ongoing shortages and delayed delivery of state‑issued registration inventory, including but not limited to boat registration stickers, snowmobile registrations and ATV registrations,” according to the letter.
Officials said the shortages significantly affect tourism in the Rangeley Lakes Region.
Rangeley resident Tyler Philbrick proposed installing a removable speed cable on Bald Mountain Road to slow vehicles to 15 to 20 mph. He estimated the cost at up to $1,800. The cable would be removed for winter plowing.
With the Fourth of July weekend approaching, the Rangeley Lakes Region plans a two‑day fireworks show. Between the July 2 display in Oquossoc and the July 3 show in Rangeley, organizers said it will be the largest fireworks event in the state for 2026, marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America.
The Rangeley Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce is expected to update its website with details as the dates get closer. Rain dates are set for July 4 and July 5. Fireworks are scheduled to begin at dusk.
In other town matters, the Maine Department of Transportation’s budget for the Scenic Gateways Project has been revised following a change in federal funding. Under the previous agreement, the state was responsible for an 80/20 split on the original project amount and 80 percent of any cost overruns. With the new funding levels, Rangeley will now be responsible for the 20 percent local share across the entire project.
“Long story short, we don’t have money for the bid alternates,” Roach said.
The underground conduit is expected to remain within budget, but the benches and bike racks are now likely to be cut from the project. The contractor has been asked to hold off on work while decisions are being made.
The Board of Selectmen also discussed potential property tax relief options for seniors aged 65 or older and for people with disabilities.
Members noted that current homestead exemptions may not adequately reflect the financial pressures many residents face, particularly as inflation continues to rise.
The state has given municipalities flexibility to create local tax relief programs they believe best meet their communities’ needs.
Under the current Homestead Exemption Program, municipalities are reimbursed by the state for about 75 percent of the exempted value of a taxpayer’s primary home. Some members discussed advocating for increasing state reimbursement to 100 percent, noting that municipalities must ultimately balance their budgets and absorb any unreimbursed costs.
The Maine Municipal Association Tax Relief Task Force is scheduled to meet June 30 to continue examining potential solutions. Members discussed whether relief should be structured as a tax credit or an exemption, noting that the Maine Constitution generally requires taxation to be applied uniformly. However, some municipalities have established eligibility criteria for local relief programs, such as age, income or other qualifications.
Additional discussion included whether relief should be based on a fixed dollar amount or a property value percentage reduction.
Roach looked to the Board of Selectmen for direction regarding the town park gazebo. There has not yet been success in getting proposals that fit the current budget. Roach suggested carrying forward the funds or funding the balance on June 30, keeping in mind that the conceptual parks improvement plan approved at the town meeting includes a 20-by-30-foot pavilion.
At the town meeting, voters rejected an article to consider authorizing the use of $28,000 in tax increment financing funds to cover a portion of a director of community development salary.
The proposed position was intended to provide enhanced leadership in community and economic development within the Planning Department and Code Enforcement Office, but without funding, that position will not be filled this year.
