Newbie- Introductions

[ribbets]

have you checked This Week in Unity, Maine they even have a listing for barn raising..

[wnc-eky-me]

Yes I have checked this out and it has been a good source of info as well as all you fine folks on this forum.
Thanks

[boonelsewhere]

As I read the law, the penalty is not a percentage of the value of the land, rather it is a percentage of the taxes that were not paid (that would have been paid without the exemption

):

tree growth 85 x 5 x .02 = $ 8.50
normal 900 x 5 x .02 = $90.00

remove from tree growth to grow vegs
penelty = 90 x 1.30 = 117.
or
= 90 x .30 = 27.

much better than
900 x 5 x .30 = $ 1350.00

[Zymer]

Yes, much better- even better if you put it into the farm and open space classification. Of course, if you plan right from the start you can put different sections in each classification at the beginning and save yourself a whole lot of paperwork.

You need a forester to sign of on your tree growth plan, and you get a $200 tax credit every ten years towards paying for it.

[forest beekeeper]

Our forester reviewed a map of our woodlot, gave us a 'Treegrowth Plan', offered his advise and charged around $300 for our property, $400 for the property that we manage.

And of course his fee is a tax write-off.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

If you take land out of the tree growth program and put it into the open space program there is no penalty. However, the fact that it was ever in the tree growth program will haunt you forever. This means that you can transfer some acreage out of tree growth and have that 5 acre garden with no penalty.

[boonelsewhere]

thanks forest.
our land in Waltham is Not currently under Treegrowth Plan, we talk to a forester in the area, she said her fee will be about $600-700, she also suggest us to call Maine forester to came and walk the land with us first so we would be more educated about trees in Maine, then we can work with her on planning.
with not sure how the penalty calculated, may be we should leave it alone as undevelop land.

Our forester reviewed a map of our woodlot, gave us a 'Treegrowth Plan', offered his advise and charged around $300 for our property, $400 for the property that we manage.

thanks NMLM.
our land in Ellsworth is under Treegrowth plan, since it is near to town we may plan to build there and clear some land for veggie garden. it would be nice not have to deal with the penalty. i am sure the open land is asseses higher for tax purpose.

If you take land out of the tree growth program and put it into the open space program there is no penalty. However, the fact that it was ever in the tree growth program will haunt you forever. This means that you can transfer some acreage out of tree growth and have that 5 acre garden with no penalty.

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by wnc-eky-me

cars we have (95' toyota previa van

Hey, if you ever want to sell this.....

[dramamama6685]

Originally Posted by wnc-eky-me

cdodge04 thanks for the input. Did you attend Unity? Or just live in the area? And yes it looks like quite an assortment of activities for such a small town. Should be fun.

Welcome Cdodge and wnc!! So are you two going to be neighbors?

[wnc-eky-me]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

Hey, if you ever want to sell this.....

I guess we better keep it for a couple more years. Hey maybe after I graduate. It is in good condition and has surprising power for a 4 cylinder. It is not great in the snow (rear wheel drive) unless we put some weight in the back. Course we don't have snow tires on it either.