JAY — Residents will vote Tuesday, April 28, on a proposed $5.63 million municipal budget for 2015-16. The amount is a $92,656.60 more than this fiscal year.
After factoring in anticipated revenues of $1.33 million, the net budget is $4.3 million. The figures do not factor in Franklin County taxes or the town’s share of the Regional School Unit 73 budget.
The town meeting referendum will be held at the polls from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, in the voting area at the Community Building. Voters have 44 articles to consider, including the election of town and school officials.
The spending plan sets up a $50,000 valuation reserve account and contains $225,000 for paving. It also reinstates some money for capital reserves in various town department budgets that were eliminated in the current budget.
The proposal includes the elimination of a patrolman position on the Police Department and a position on the Public Works Department.
It also reflects increases in electricity, water and hydrant rental costs.
Voters will also be asked to consider an article that would authorize the Board of Selectpersons to pursue a property lease with the Androscoggin Land Trust for about 10 acres at French Falls Recreation Area. The property includes playing fields and was formerly owned by Verso Paper Corp. It abuts the Androscoggin River and the Whistle-Stop Trail that goes to West Farmington.
The cost would be $1 a year to lease the land. If the town moves forward on the proposal, it would be responsible for mowing and maintaining it.
Voters will also be asked to consider approving a Community Development Block Grant application for a Workforce Development Grant for training in the amount of $100,000. The town would be the applicant with Polycor, a company based in Canada that is developing the North Jay White Quarry for the purpose of making granite curbing.
The company proposes to build a plant off the Old Jay Hill Road. The $4 million investment would create 20 direct jobs and 20 indirect jobs, and inject approximately $3 million per year into the local economy, according to the company’s information presented to the town.
There would be no cost to the town for the grant, Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere previously said.
dperry@sunmediagroup.net
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