FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
The Stow Town Office Hours are as follows:
Monday 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Tuesday 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
You can find more contact information on our General Contact page.
Excise tax is an annual tax that must be paid prior to registering your vehicle. Except for a few statutory exemptions, all vehicles registered in the State of Maine are subject to the excise tax.
Excise tax is defined by Maine law as a tax levied annually for the privilege of operating a motor vehicle or camper trailer on the public ways.
Where do I pay the excise tax?
Excise tax is paid at the local town office where the owner of the vehicle resides. When a vehicle needs to be registered, an excise tax is collected prior to the registration.
How much is the excise tax?
The amount of tax is determined by two things:
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The age of the vehicle
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Manufacturer's suggested retail price ("MSRP")
How is excise tax calculated?
Excise tax is calculated by multiplying the MSRP by the mill rate as shown below. The rates drop back on January 1st of each year.
YEAR 1 .0240 mill rate
YEAR 2 .0175 mill rate
YEAR 3 .0135 mill rate
YEAR 4 .0100 mill rate
YEAR 5 .0065 mill rate
YEAR 6 .0040 mill rate
For example, the owner of a three year old motor vehicle with an MSRP of $19,500 would pay $263.25.
Where does the excise tax go?
The town that collects the excise tax can use it as revenue towards the annual town budget. Typically, the revenue is spent on local road maintenance, construction and repair.
Why is the tax based on MSRP?
Excise tax was designed with equity in mind. In 1925, this tax was enacted as a Maine law. At that time, the Legislature decided that the fairest tax assessment would be based on what the manufacturer suggests it sell for.
This law has remained in effect for nearly 100 years to ensure that everyone who drives the same vehicle pays the same amount of tax.
Where can a municipality get the MSRP?
There are several resources for the MSRP that will provide the information on the retail price of a vehicle. New vehicles are required to have a window sticker and the window sticker must be must be presented on first time registrations.
For used cars, individuals and municipalities can use the JD Power Official Used Car Guide (formerly the NADA Guide), the New Car Cost Guide, the Automobile Red Book and the Automobile Blue Book to determine the MSRP of a vehicle.
Many towns have adopted software based on the Automobile Red Book and can use the VIN number to determine the MSRP of that vehicle.
Please note: The State of Maine Property Tax Division only provides quotes to the Municipal Tax Collector, not to individuals.
For more information see 36 M.R.S. § 1482 or Property Tax Bulletin No. 13.
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Dogs can be registered at the Stow Town Office.
All dogs need to be licensed upon reaching the age of 6 months, or after the dog has been with the family for 10 days if adopted. Dog licenses should be renewed every year by the 31st of January.
The State of Maine provides a measure of property tax relief through different programs to qualified individuals. While some are applied at a local level, others may be applied for through the Income Tax Division.
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State Property Tax Deferral Program
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Business Equipment Tax Exemption ("BETE") Program
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Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement ("BETR") Program
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Current Land Use Programs (Tree Growth, Farmland, Open Space, Working Waterfront)
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Property Tax Exemptions
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Property Tax Fairness Credit
Visit our Property Tax Information page or Maine.gov for more information.
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To file a building permit, down the form, fill it out, and return it to your Code Enforcement Officer. Find the form here!
If you’re a Stow resident needing help with heating fuel or bills, here’s how to get support:
Call Stow’s Town Office and ask for General Assistance. The town operates a local heating assistance fund, offering qualifying households up to 100 gallons of heating fuel or other help using donated funds—administered confidentially by Select Board member Carl Lindblade at 603‑731‑0650 . You can also contact Maine’s statewide Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) through Community Concepts by calling 1‑800‑866‑5588, or dial 2‑1‑1 for free, confidential referrals to fuel aid and other support services. Visit the Heat & Fuel Assistance page for more information.
In Maine, registering to vote is easy and flexible. You can do it in several ways:
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Register Online, at least 21 days before the election.
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In Person – You can go to your local town office or city hall and fill out a voter registration card. There is no deadline to register to vote in person, even on Election Day
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By Mail – You can download the form, print it, sign it, and either mail or bring it to your town office. The town must keep the signed paper copy. Form must be received at least 21 days before the election.
You can also register at places like the BMV (Motor Vehicle office), most government help agencies, and at voter registration events.
What You Need to Register
To register for the first time, you’ll need to prove your identity and where you live. You can bring:
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A Maine driver’s license or the last 4 digits of your Social Security number
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A government ID (with or without a photo)
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A bill, bank statement, paycheck, or public benefit letter with your name and address
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A student ID from a school or college in Maine
For more information, visit the Elections & Voting page, or go to Maine.gov
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Before conducting timber harvesting or related forest operations in Maine, landowners or operators must file a Forest Operations Notification (FON) with the Maine Forest Service. The FOResT tool is the online system that makes it easy to submit, track, and manage these notifications in compliance with state regulations.
How to File a Forest Operations Notification
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Go to the FOResT tool (scroll to the “Forest Operations Notifications (FONs)” section and click the login link).
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Log in or create an account if you’re a first-time user.
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Choose the type of operation you’re planning (e.g., timber harvest, road construction).
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Enter details about the parcel, operation type, and responsible parties.
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Review and submit your notification online.
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Save your confirmation, and be sure to follow all relevant best practices and regulations during the operation.
Using the FOResT tool ensures your project is registered, compliant, and transparent—protecting both Maine’s forests and your legal standing.
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Planning to burn brush or debris? Maine law requires a burn permit for most outdoor fires. The State of Maine offers a quick and easy way to get your free burn permit online.
Permits are required daily and only issued when weather and safety conditions allow.
How to Get a Burn Permit
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Go to the Maine Online Burn Permit System
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Select your town and type of burn
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Enter your information (name, address, phone, etc.)
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Review the fire safety rules
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Submit your request and download/print your permit
Permits are only valid for the day they’re issued. Always check conditions before burning, and keep safety equipment nearby.
For further questions about burn permits or firework displays call SVFA Fire Chief Harold Drew at 603-662-8815 or Jeff Blake at 207-697-2009 || Email: valleysaco@gmail.com
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1. Visit the Stow Town Office in Person
Both parties must appear together at the Town Office to file an Intention of Marriage form. Plan ahead — the process can take up to 1 hour, and applications must be started at least 1 hour before closing. You can also fill out the form ahead of time - visit the permits and registrations page for the Marriage Intentions PDF.
2. Bring the Required Documents
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Valid photo ID (e.g., driver’s license)
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If previously married: a certified copy (with raised seal) of your divorce decree or former spouse’s death certificate
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Applicants must be 18 or older. Those under 18 require written parental consent, and under 16 also need a judge’s consent.
3. Pay the Filing Fee
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The fee is $40, payable to the Town Clerk.
OTHER INFORMATION
License Details:
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Your license is valid for 90 days.
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It can only be used in Maine.
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There is no waiting period before your ceremony.
Choose an Authorized Officiant:The ceremony must be performed by one of the following:
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Ordained ministers
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Licensed preachers
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Maine judges, justices, or attorneys
👉 Note: Out-of-state notaries and Justices of the Peace cannot perform weddings in Maine.
After the Ceremony:
The officiant is responsible for filing your marriage certificate with the same Town Office that issued your license.
Visit Main.gov for more information.
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You can register your vehicle (and trailers) online, or at the Town Office. See 'What is Excise Tax' for more information about what you might owe.
Online:
Use the Maine.gov Rapid Renewal system to renew your registration online.
What you will need:
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Your CURRENT vehicle registration—Data must be entered accurately
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Your insurance card
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Your vehicle's current mileage
You CANNOT register online if:
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Your registration expired more than 7 months ago
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Your registration expires more than 2 months from now
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You must re-new in person if your vehicle is in one of the following categories:
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Island Use
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Emergency
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Coach
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Over 12,000 pounds GVW
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Apportioned
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Special mobile equipment
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Tractor
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Municipal or State vehicle
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If you are required to file an SR-22
In Person:
When registering a vehicle at the Town Office, payment is accepted in cash/check/credit or debit cards. There is a processing fee for card transactions.
For a new registration, you need:
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a title (for a car that is 1998 or newer) or a copy of the title application
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a bill of sale
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and proof of insurance
For re-registration, you need:
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old registration
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proof of insurance
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mileage
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