MECHANIC FALLS — The Budget Committee and Town Council on Wednesday agreed on a proposed municipal budget of $2.41 million for 2015-16.
When the committee received the council’s proposal two weeks ago, it was displeased because it would raise property taxes significantly.
In the meantime, rumors spread of eliminating the Rescue Department, the Police Department, the library or the town manager’s position to cut costs. None of it was true, committee member Ollie Emery said.
“We never even talked about anything in the library budget,” he said.
But Emery said the committee was concerned about the situation with the rescue function of the Fire Department. He questioned whether the $18,000 going to support it should continue, given that the town decided to have Poland Rescue cover during the day. He said it was the committee’s belief that arrangements could be made for United Ambulance to cover nights.
Town Manager John Hawley confirmed that the number of rescue responders is down, noting the roster has only five names and only two of those can be considered truly active.
Hawley said eliminating support for a Mechanic Falls rescue service was too important an issue not to have the public weigh in on the matter. He suggested it might be wise to see what develops in the next year.
Hawley presented a list of suggestions he and Finance Director Lisa Provost developed to lower the budget, including curtailing summer police protection, public works overtime, tax clerk hours, salt budget, welfare, the legal account and others amounting to $47,500.
He said the measures could be taken, but he wasn’t happy with some potential effects.
Committee members agreed and restored funds recommended to be cut from the Police Department and tax clerk’s hours.
A total of $32,000 was cut from the council’s initial proposal, reducing the amount to be raised by property taxes from about $1.6 million to about $1.57 million. The effect would be a tax increase of $39 per $100,000 of assessed property value instead of $59 per $100,000 valuation.
The council and committee will hold a public hearing on the budget Wednesday, April 29, and finalize their recommendations for a June 9 referendum.
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