Camden — Camden select board members set the property tax rate during their regular meeting Sept. 18 at $13.68 per thousand of valuation — 22 cents higher than last year's rate, said Town Manager Patricia Finnigan. The increase is being attributed to a rising school district budget, according to Assessor's Agent Wesley Robinson.

He said a $200,000 increase in the school budget was slightly offset by a $37,000 decrease in the tax bill received from the county for shared services. Overall, the budget increased by $257,000, he said.

The more than $14 million budget includes an overlay amount, Robinson said, adding keeping the tax rate the same would not allow obligations to be met.

The town valuation decreased to slightly more than $1.1 billion, down more than $650,000 from last year, Robinson said.

“Some areas did better and [valuation] increased,” he said.

Robinson warned more residents may be seeking assistance than years past.

“I've had an increasing number of people asking I review their assessments,” he said. “More from people of modest means.”

Finnigan said the goal is to stabilize the tax rate and noted town staff does not “recommend increases lightly.”

Selectman John French noted people with concerns about their tax bill “have 155 days to begin the process.”

Property taxes are due Nov. 1 and May 1, 2013.