THOMASTON, Maine — Property owners will pay a little less taxes this year as the town of Thomaston saw new development help spread out the cost of paying for school, county and municipal expenses.
Thomaston set its tax rate Friday at $16.64, down 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed property from last year. This is the second consecutive year the rate has dropped. In 2012, the rate was set at $16.80.
This was the first year in which the completed Wal-Mart supercenter was included on the town’s tax rolls. Wal-Mart’s assessment on land and buildings totaled $16.6 million, which means it will be paying more than $276,000 to the town this year. Assessors Agent David Martucci said Wal-Mart has moved into second place in terms of highest taxpayers, outpacing Lowe’s.
Dragon Products, the cement manufacturer, remains the top taxpayer with an assessment of about $92 million. The cement plant’s tax bill is about $1.5 million.
The town saw other development, including the building of a Tractor Supply store.
Of the $6.6 million in taxes being billed, 45 percent will go to Regional School Unit 13, about 5 percent will go to Knox County, and the remainder will be used for municipal purposes.
The first half payment from property owners is due to be paid Dec. 3, with the second half due June 3.