PERU — Because the $12.5 million RSU 56 budget was approved Aug. 8, the town’s tax rate has been finalized and bills were mailed out Friday.

Town Clerk Vera Parent told selectmen Monday night that taxpayers will see a slight increase, with the final rate being $19 per $1,000 of valuation.

In other business, Fire Chief Bill Hussey said construction on the new fire station at 131 Greenwoods Road is going well. Selectman Kevin Taylor called the process “quite a successful project” and Hussey said all of the crews are working well together.

Road Commissioner Bradley Hutchings reported that the town’s maintenance on East Shore Road is complete, and paving should happen as early as next week. He and his crew have begun making sure winter equipment is ready to go.

The Ordinance Committee, according to Taylor, is drafting a new noise ordinance that would cover all “nuisance” noises, such as fireworks, gunfire and loud engines, “rather than having specific ordinances for specific noises,” Taylor said.

The new ordinance will be presented after the committee’s next meeting. Members are still deciding on a date.

emarquis@sunmediagroup.net