MEXICO – Town Manager Joseph Derouche will provide an overview of the proposed municipal budget for 2003-04 when selectmen meet Wednesday.

The regular twice-monthly meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the town office.

Earlier this month, the board took a look at a proposed $1.5 million budget. That figure, which does not include the town’s share of school or county taxes, was the result of funding fewer social service agencies and other requests, as well as keeping raises to a minimum for municipal staff. The board directed Derouche to try to develop a budget that was less than or equal to last year’s $1.6 million figure.

Derouche will also give a rundown of a trip that he, as president of the River Valley Growth Council board and the council’s economic developer, made to Washington, D.C., in pursuit of funding for an experimental, renewable fuel project.

The board will decide the amount of funding the town will provide to the local public access channel. Derouche said the town has received about twice the amount it usually gets from Adelphia. This year, that figure is about $10,000. The town then usually gives the local channel about half of the franchise fees.

Derouche said that may not happen this year because of the tight municipal budget.

Other agenda items include an update and reminder of the closing date for local people to file nomination papers for selectman or SAD 43 board representatives, and reports by the road commissioner and selectmen.

eadams@sunjournal.com

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