In May, members of the Peaks Island community formed multiple committees to address the dramatic increase in their property taxes. The summer has been especially busy for the Peaks Island Tax Assistance Committee, or PITA.
This committee’s goal is to provide financial assistance to residents so they can remain in their homes despite extraordinary tax increases. PITA created an application form and made it available from multiple sources on the island. Eligibility was based solely on financial need, with all decisions made by island clergymen to assure confidentiality.
Through private donations, bake sales, selling t-shirts at the weekly “Reggae Sunday” and a very well-supported community concert “A Slice of Peaks,” the committee managed to collect over $10,000. As a result, it was able to help everyone who requested assistance.
“People on the island have been extraordinarily generous. No one has given us anything but support,” stated Cindy Pedliken, a member of PITA.
PITA is currently pursuing nonprofit status so donations can be tax-deductible. It is now planning fundraising events for the winter. “We intend to keep going as long as it’s necessary,” says Pedliken.
The Island Independence Committee (IIC) has collected over 526 signatures on the petitions requesting a public hearing with the City of Portland to discuss issues leading to secession. The committee’s goal is to collect 600 signatures to show that a clear majority of registered voters support a hearing. The Island Times, a monthly newspaper based in Casco Bay, has become a forum for discussion on the issues surrounding secession. While the August issue included a letter in support of secession, the September issue included a response opposed to secession and a letter from one islander requesting detailed financial data. The data that is available so far will be presented by members of the IIC at the September meeting of the Peaks Island Neighborhood Association.
One effort that was not connected to any island-based committees was a workshop held on Peaks Island by the City of Portland on Sept. 17. The purpose was to help residents determine if they are eligible for the Maine Residents Property Tax and Rent Refund Program, also known as the “circuit breaker.” Eligible residents could also receive help completing all the required forms. This was the second time this year that the workshop had been held by the City of Portland. (The first time was last week at City Hall. According to Peter Dewitt, the Portland Communications Director, over 65 people attended that workshop.) Additional meetings will take place at City Hall in the near future.
The city first offered the workshops after the last reevaluation. Some of the reasons for holding the workshops this year include the increased tax pressure brought about by the recent reevaluation and the expansion of the circuit breaker program by the legislature.
“We know there’s a greater pool of eligibility” said Dewitt. People may be eligible now who were not eligible in the past. “We want people to take advantage of it if they can,” he continued. Dewitt also recognized the appeal of not having to travel across the bay to attend the workshops on the mainland. “People appreciate that they can come locally and get assistance,” he said.
During the workshop, residents can get all the necessary forms, fill them out and get answers to their questions. Dewitt estimated that the group of volunteers at the workshop was able to answer 95 percent of the questions that came up. The other five percent of questions involved more complicated circumstances and required contacting the state.
Denise Clavett, the Director of Parks and Recreation, Gary Wood, the City’s lead attorney, Ellen Sanborn from the Finance Department, Island Administrator Tom Fortier, and the Assistant City Manager Larry Mead volunteered at the workshop.
At least 50 people stopped by with questions over the course of the morning. One islander who attended the workshop said she arrived with lots of questions, but received the help she needed. She also said she was glad that people know they can get help.