NEW GLOUCESTER – The 10-member Budget Committee began reviews of the 2014-15 draft municipal budget Monday night.
The budget totals $2,865,031.
The budget does not include capital expenditures, mostly paid for through capital reserve accounts. That list is yet to be compiled.
The budget also does not include the town’s assessment for SAD 15 or for Cumberland County.
Town Manager Sumner Field III said the budget criteria approved by the board includes wage increases of up to 4 percent.
Emergency Medical Service and the Fire Department are seeking a $30,000 increase. Public works will seek an increase of $73,000 due to fuel, wages and the addition of a staff person. The Transfer Station increase of $10,000 is partly due to an increase in tipping fees.
Administration account increase of $12,000 is due to wages.
Revenues expected to offset the budget total $1,290,401.
The town’s emergency Medical Services account totals $124,300, an increase of $962. The Fire Department is seeing $192.750, an increase of $17,620.
The Highway Department is requesting $688,223, an increase of $73,403.
The Budget Committee reviewed two dozen lines Monday. On Wednesday, it will meet with Public Works Director Ted Shane to review his department’s proposal. On Thursday, it will meet with fire Chief Gary Sacco and Emergency Services Director Mary Rich.
The committee elected Tammy Wayboer as chairwoman and George Colby vice chairman.
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