RANGELEY — Town officials have voted to use state valuation figures as of July 1, 2024, as one of three factors in setting new property assessments, replacing data from the 2020 U.S. census.
The Board of Selectmen discussed the change Monday and said it plans to continue using the updated figures in future years, pending final approval from the town and nearby plantations.
Rangeley’s assessing formula averages three components: state valuation, number of housing units and year‑round and seasonal population.
Town Manager Joe Roach said the combined year‑round and seasonal population of Rangeley and surrounding plantations is 2,259. That total includes Rangeley Plantation, Dallas Plantation, Sandy River Plantation and unorganized territories in Franklin County.
During a regional meeting Nov. 18, 2025, municipal officials raised concerns about the age of some of the data used in the assessing formula, particularly housing unit figures derived from the 2020 U.S. census.
Meeting participants agreed to provide updated housing data to evaluate how revised figures could affect future funding allocations among the communities.
“By using this data, it changes — potentially — what certain government facilities would be paying this year,” Roach said.
The plan is expected to be discussed again at the Rangeley Board of Selectmen meeting scheduled for June 15, according to Roach.
In other matters Monday, the Board of Selectmen held the second reading of the Housing Study Ad Hoc Bylaws. Discussion focused on several questions, including how the board defines “affordable” and “attainable” housing.
Rangeley’s comprehensive plan describes workforce housing as “somewhat of a new term in the planning and housing community” and includes “almost any type of housing that is affordable to members of the workforce, including but not limited to teachers, office workers, service workers, police officers, and the like.”
The plan adds that such housing is “generally either single-family or two-family dwellings,” located near employment opportunities, and that “the town can develop its own definition for workforce housing if local programs are developed.”
Selectmen also held a second reading of the Future Facilities Committee Bylaws, including discussion about whether the committee should have five or seven public members. Board members said they need to establish the committee first, then determine interest and how many people will be required. The committee’s purpose is to “serve to provide a taxpayer perspective on the future facilities planning process,” according to town records.
Town officials said the process should identify near‑horizon needs while maintaining a 50‑year outlook. The town’s capital planning program looks ahead 10 years, but has focused mostly on major repairs to existing buildings, according to the bylaws. When regional service buildings are discussed, affected agencies should be invited to participate.
Selectmen approved minor updates to the Town Park Rules and Regulations, which Vice Chair Jim Jannace read aloud. One change in Article 2.04 replaces the term “non-swimmer” with “a person who cannot swim” to clarify who must wear a life preserver on the municipal dock. The board also discussed ways to prevent tampering with sporting equipment after an incident last weekend in which children climbed on adjusted basketball hoops.
The regulations also address the town’s leash law, which states that a nondangerous dog is considered “leashed” if it is “under the control of any person by means of physical restraint or of such personal presence and attention as will reasonably control the conduct of such dog.”
The board also received an update on the Wright‑Pierce Main Street sidewalk improvements project, where the first phase has been completed.
Roach signed an amendment to the project that increases the cost by $1,500 to cover preparation of easement descriptions, using existing engineering funds from the Highway Account.
The projects remain contingent on voter approval at the Annual Town Meeting on June 9, with voting scheduled from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Town Office.
Phase II includes repairing sidewalks along Main Street from Lake Street to the Alpine Shop, adding an Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible parking space near Sarge’s Sports Pub & Grub and installing a new crosswalk at Rangeley Lakes Builder’s Supply.
In community news, the town is honoring longtime resident Sally Rowe Church by dedicating the 2025 Annual Town Report to her.
Church was born in Rangeley on Sept. 10, 1935, to Kenwood and Eveline (Hansen) Rowe.
Growing up in the region, she developed a lifelong passion for winter and summer sports, including downhill and cross‑country skiing, snowmobiling, golf and fishing. Her son, Steve, accepted the dedication on her behalf.
Roach attended the Oxford County Commission meeting May 19 at the request of the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, during which commissioners discussed the Dark Skies initiative.
Roach explained to the board how Dark Skies concepts are embedded in Rangeley’s Zoning Ordinance.
The town’s involvement with the project will continue to be discussed, Roach said. She explained that astrotourism — traveling to view the night sky, often to see specific celestial events — and the economic benefits it brings to the community are major reasons for joining the initiative.
The board also approved the following events:
- Maine Forestry Museum’s Logging Parade and Festival: July 18 from 10 a.m. to noon on Main Street.
- Rangeley Health and Wellness Annual Duck Race: July 3 at 10:45 a.m. A bucket loader will “parade” rubber ducks down Main Street during the Children’s Parade, then drop them into the Haley Pond inlet by Pine Tree Frosty.
- Rangeley Health and Wellness Stars and Stripes 5K Run and Walk: July 4 at 9 a.m.
- Regional School Unit 78 High School Outing Club’s Step Up Day: Students will participate June 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Oquossoc ATV Club Gift Drive Kickoff Ride: Riders will head to Quill Hill and Eustis on Oct. 11, 2026, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. to collect items for the Christmas gift drive.
- Rangeley Friends of the Arts and Birds of a Feather Gallery’s Joan Frost Memorial Arts Show and Sale: July 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., open to the public, with about 30 vendors offering arts and crafts.
The board also approved a vendor license for Kelsey Chadwick’s Camp Café mobile coffee and doughnut trailer.
Selectmen said they plan to discuss senior tax relief benefit programs at their next meeting.
