NEW GLOUCESTER — Selectmen advised Town Manager Sumner Field III on Monday night that they want next year's budget to cap merit pay raises at 3 percent and have no staff increases.

The board also wants no excessive use of the Undesignated Fund Balance.

The timeline for budget development has Field distributing budget books for the board on Jan. 1, followed by three meetings in January and February for board review of the proposal.

The Budget Committee will begin budget reviews in February and hold a public hearing in mid-March. Selectmen will approve the warrant articles on April 1, and the annual town meeting will be held May 6, 2013.

In other business, the board signed a quitclaim deed for Mark B. Cummings of 69 Sunset Shores Road. Last summer, the town was preparing to sell the property and collect back taxes and interest through a sealed bid procedure, but Cummings pleaded with the board and offered to pay the taxes and interest immediately. He also completed a cleanup of the property to the satisfaction of the code enforcement officer.

Through the quitclaim deed, Cummings was awarded all rights, title and interest in the lot.

It was announced that Chandler Mill Road is open for travel following a bridge replacement over the Maine Turnpike.

The Maine Department of Transportation is finishing up a project to manage stormwater runoff on Route 231 in the Lower Gloucester Village. The plan includes a paved walking path from the library to Gloucester Hill Road and granite curbs.