MECHANIC FALLS — The Town Council was informed Monday by letter that Regional School Unit 16 will be reviewing the cost-sharing formula that the town, Poland and Minot abide with for a portion of the school budget.

The formula is 90% town valuation and 10% student count, which affected $4.6 million of the $28.4 million district budget.

It is the additional locally raised revenue above the state’s subsidy.

Reviewing and possibly changing the cost sharing formula is a multistep procedure.

A nine-member committee has to be established with two residents and one school director from each town and that committee would select a facilitator from a list maintained by the state education commissioner.

The facilitator would work with the committee to gather information on the current cost-sharing method and consider the concerns of municipal officials, educators and the public about the current cost-sharing breakdown.

The committee will develop a plan of action if changes are to be made to the sharing formula.

Any change has to be approved by a majority of the nine committee members. If a change is approved, it has to go to voters of the three towns for final approval.

All costs associated with the reevaluation will be the responsibility of RSU 16.

The cost-sharing formula review was requested by the Poland selectpersons who felt their town was paying more than its fair share of the school budget.

School directors approved the review at their Sept. 9 meeting.

The district is currently searching for a facilitator to initiate the review.

The council also learned from the RSU 16 administration that $150,813 is due to the town because the property tax rate was established before the third and final school budget was approved in September.

Town Manager Vic Hodgkins said that the money will be put in a reserve account, gaining interest, and will be used to offset next year’s tax assessment.

In other town business:

• The council approved making the Spirit of Christmas Committee an official town-sanctioned group. Councilor Ray Lavoie announced that an anonymous donor will be giving $1,000 to the committee.

• The council also approved accepting a $200 donation from the Minot Corner United Methodist Church for residents who do not qualify for general assistance but are in need.

• The disposal fee for any size of mattress will increase to $25 at the Transfer Station.

• The council appointed Paul Weller to the Development Commission and Taylor Didonato to the Board of Appeals and the Budget Committee.