By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — It is said that change is the only thing that is constant.

However, for the third year in a row, the Town of Naples tax rate has stayed the same.

The status quo might be welcomed by property owners since Naples has a relatively low tax rate of $13.35.

On Monday, the Naples Board of Selectmen voted, 4–0, to keep the tax rate at $13.35.

Naples Town Manager John Hawley recommended that amount, saying it included a healthy overlay.

“All the numbers are in,” he began.

“It is my recommendation that we set the tax rate at $0.01335 again this year,” Hawley said.

The motion was made and there was a vote without much discussion.

“There will be no tax increase for Naples,” Chairman Jim Grattelo said.

Selectman Bob Caron II, added “…for the third consecutive year.”

It was through the work of the Naples Budget Committee that the town was able to do this. The seven-member committee kept a goal of zero budget increase. It scrutinized expenditures and required outside agencies to appear in person with budgetary requests.

Likewise, the school budget of School Administrative District [SAD] 61 was kept in check, especially with old debt being retired.

According to the website Maine Home Connection, there are only a few towns in Cumberland County that have tax rates that are less than $15.00 for the 2019 tax year. Some of those include: Hollis ($12.50), Cornish ($13.45), Standish ($13.25), and Raymond ($12.30).

Neighboring Casco has a tax rate of $15.10.

Now that the Town of Naples has established its tax rate for the 2019–20 fiscal year, the tax commitment will be made and those tax bills will be sent to property owners.