Historic‑resource tax refund rewrite aims to make town program 'workable,' HDC says

The Historic District Commission told the Select Board that York’s current Article 12 property‑tax refund section has been effectively unusable and needs rewriting to function as an incentive for maintaining historic properties.

Scott Stevens, chair of the Historic District Commission, said the revised draft aligns with the state enabling legislation and guidance from the Maine Historic Preservation Commission and would broaden eligibility to any owner willing to sign a maintenance agreement. "Anyone willing to sign a maintenance agreement by which they will care for their property by standards established should qualify for a tax credit," Stevens said, noting the town attorney reviewed and approved the revisions as consistent with the statute.

Select Board members expressed concern that the refund might disproportionately benefit higher‑value properties. Stevens responded that the assessor data shows roughly 94 properties at least 75 years old that fall below the town’s average valuation, which suggests eligible properties would not be limited to the affluent.

The Historic District Commission framed the change as creating a usable tool for preservation; funding and annual award levels would be subject to budgetary decisions by the board and, ultimately, voters. The Select Board did not adopt the amendment at this meeting but signaled interest in scheduling a public hearing and getting the item on a future agenda.

Next steps: the HDC requested time for a public hearing and the Select Board indicated it would consider a formal hearing and further vetting via the Planning Board and staff scheduling.