LISBON — The School Committee presented a budget to the Town Council on Tuesday night and was told to go back to the table to consider cuts.
The revised spending plan of $15.28 million — $97,000 more than in 2015-16 — proposes $1.29 million in additional local funds. That’s an increase of $817,000 from last year.
Reasons for the higher local share include $241,000 less in revenue and $478,000 less in state subsidy.
The first budget proposal by Superintendent Richard Green to the School Committee was $1.5 million more than in 2015-16. That resulted in the committee cutting $723,000, including money for a K-8 position, K-12 art teacher, gifted and talented teacher, social worker, special education position, speech and language position and an administration secretary position.
There were also cuts to basketball, cheering, competitive cheering, softball, wrestling, technology club, school resource officer and volunteer coordinator.
Town Council Chairman Roger Bickford asked School Committee Chairman Traci Austin to take the budget back to the committee to see if additional cuts can be made. He proposed that the council and committee hold a workshop in the next few weeks.
In other council action Tuesday night, it was announced that several businesses considered a blight along the Route 196 corridor and in the downtown could get improvements this summer.
The town will be applying for $150,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds, which will be used to help businesses located in targeted areas make building improvements, said Director of Economic and Community Development Tracey Steuber.
The scope of work will include roof repairs, new energy efficient windows and doors, insulation and siding, restoration or enhancement of architectural features, signage, exterior paint, lighting or awnings, and ramps for handicapped accessibility.
Although there is no requirement for the town to match the federal funds, there is a requirement for individual businesses or property owners to match any award they are granted.
Businesses will have to meet eligibility criteria and apply to be considered for the program. The minimum award will be $2,500 and the maximum $20,000, said Steuber.
In other business, the Town Counci:
* Voted 7-0 to approve the second reading of ordinance amendments on itinerant vendors, park regulations and the combining of the Maine Trails Commission with the Conservation Commission;
* Voted 7-0 to apply for the CDBG Micro-Enterprise Assistance Program;
* Voted 7-0 for an adjustment to an accounting error to the animal control officer account;
* Voted 7-0 to purchase a new truck for the animal control officer.
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