Revenues are expected to balance an increased municipal budget.
LISBON – Selectmen set the tax rate for 2003-04 at $25.25, the same as it is now.
Board members recognized the cost-cutting efforts of the School Committee, Advisory Board and department heads in “helping to keep the rate level,” Town Manager Curtis Lunt said. After town meeting in May, it was predicted the rate would rise by 50 cents.
The combined school and municipal budgets total $18.4 million and are supported by $9.9 million in school subsidies, state revenue sharing and other local revenues. They reduce the amount to be raised in local taxes to $8,486,000.
This is up $225,000 over last year, but after new construction value is added to the tax base, the result in no increase for taxpayers.
The school budget increased just over 1 percent due to a loss of $93,000 in state school subsidy. The municipal budget is up by 3 percent, but town revenues are forecast to increase $200,000, which results in no tax increase this year.
After opening bids from Crooker Construction and Pike Industries, it was decided to go back out to bid for 3,500 tons of tar and paving three miles of town roads. New specifications will be included in the bid package, which will be more detailed. Action was tabled to the Aug. 19 meeting.
A.H. Grover of North Yarmouth, the lowest of five bidders, was awarded the contract to construct 4,500 feet of the Paper Mill Road Trail at a cost of $196,000. The project is funded with 80 percent federal money and a 20 percent local. It is expected to be completed by fall, Lunt said.
Selectmen also agreed to institute a new sticker system and new fees for using the transfer station. Beginning Oct. 1, a $10 sticker will be required in order for vehicles one ton and under to enter the transfer station. For additional vehicles in a family, stickers will cost $5; for vehicles over one ton, $50. Stickers will be available at the town office and the transfer station.
A punch-card system will be developed for those who bring items that require a disposal fee and an account will be set up for commercial users, effective Sept. 15. Stickers and the new fees are being phased in over two weeks to help alleviate confusion for those using the facility for regular household waste as well as employees.
The certification for $96,000 in local road assistance from the state was signed. This is down $5,000 from last year.
Accepted was a $6,000 MDOT Urbanized Formula grant for the Lisbon Connection, the local bus service. The service is funded on a 50-50 matching basis, Lunt said, and another $26,000 is anticipated.
Appointments made were made: Conservation Commission, Dianne Peseckis and Carroll Curtis; Advisory Board, Heather Sult; Sealer of Weights and Measures, Louis Levesque.
Tabled until October were appointments for other openings on the Recreation Committee and the Planning Board until interviews with candidates is completed.
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