2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 30-A: MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES › Part 3: PLANTATIONS AND UNORGANIZED PLACES › Chapter 303: DEORGANIZED PLACES › 30-A §7304. Power and authority of State Tax Assessor

§7304. Power and authority of State Tax Assessor
Whenever the organization of any municipality or plantation has been terminated by Act of the Legislature, the powers, duties and obligations relating to the affairs of that municipality or plantation are vested in the State Tax Assessor for not more than 5 years. The real and personal property of the municipality or plantation shall be held by the State Tax Assessor and used as described in this chapter.   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
1.  Powers of State Tax Assessor.
The State Tax Assessor may:
A. Subject to the restriction in subparagraph (1), sell or otherwise dispose of any property which the municipality or plantation holds title to at the time of deorganization or may receive title to after deorganization. When disposing of property, the State Tax Assessor shall ensure that the interests of the residents of the unorganized territory are the most important consideration.
(1) In the case of school property, the State Tax Assessor shall consult with the Commissioner of Education; and   [PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 700, Pt. A, §132 (AMD).]
B. Assess taxes any time after the act terminating the organization of the municipality or plantation takes effect by making assessment once a year under the laws relating to the assessment of property taxes in unorganized territory.
(1) The State Tax Assessor may make additional assessments in the same manner against the property owners in the deorganized municipality or plantation to provide funds to pay the debts of the municipality or plantation.   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
[PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 700, Pt. A, §132 (AMD).]
2.  Use of money.
All money received under this section shall be applied:
A. To pay the necessary expenses of the State Tax Assessor in making assessments under subsection 1;   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
B. To pay any obligation of the municipality or plantation outstanding at the time its organization is terminated;   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
C. To pay taxes assessed against the municipality or plantation; and   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
D. To complete any public works of the municipality or plantation already begun.   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
3.  Surplus funds and property.
At the end of the 5-year period, or when in the judgment of the State Tax Assessor final payment of all known accounts against the municipality or plantation has been made, any funds which have not been expended shall be deposited with the county commissioners as undedicated revenue for the unorganized territory fund of that county. Any property of the municipality or plantation which has not been sold shall be held by the State in trust for the unorganized territory or transferred to the county to be held in trust for the unorganized territory. Income from the sale or use of the property shall be used as described in Title 36, section 1604.
[PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1987, c. 737, §§A2,C106 (NEW). PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 104, §§C8,10 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 700, §A132 (AMD).