SABATTUS — The Board of Selectmen voted 3-1 Wednesday evening to set the tax rate for 2016-17 at $18.75 per thousand dollars of assessed property value. It’s an 85-cent increase from last year.

Chairman Mark Duquette, Guy Desjardins and Michelle Ames voted in favor; JP Curran was opposed. Andre Marquis was absent.

Despite the increase, some homeowners could see a reduction in taxes if they qualify for the Homestead Exemption, Duquette said. Those who qualify get a $15,000 exemption on property value.

The request for bids for the sealing a total of six miles on 15 roads closes Thursday. The work includes sections of West Ridge Road, Deerfield Drive, Fawn Avenue, Woodside Drive, Lorelie Drive, Long Beach Road, Hemlock Street, Turtle Drive, Boulder Drive, Spruce Street, Beaver Road to Bolder Drive, Springer Farm Road, Fields Road, Terry Circle and Loon Pond Road. Ward will present the bids to the board Sept. 20.

The board received one bid for the 2006 Ford Taurus SE police vehicle with 133,462 miles. The bid did not meet the minimum of $500. Ward will research if a lower bid can be accepted. If not, the car will be put out for a third bid without a minimum amount attached.

The selectmen will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20 at the Town Hall.

Other upcoming meetings:

• Monday, Sept. 12, at 5 p.m. Sabattus Sanitary District Board of Directors.

• Monday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. Sabattus Planning Board public hearings on proposed ordinance changes.