Chairman Perry Ellsworth said a few articles might create discussion at the meeting.
STRONG – Budget writers have pared back spending this year to present a package to voters that represents a $14,840 or 3.3 percent decrease.
Selectmen are hoping residents will attend the annual town meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 6, at the Forster Building to discuss the proposed $433,694 spending plan for 2004.
“The selectmen, Budget Committee and employees of the town of Strong have had to create a no-frills budget for 2004,” selectmen’s Chairman Perry Ellsworth said. “With the loss of approximately $100,000 tax base due to the closure of Forster Manufacturing, Cousineau’s Sawmill and Strong Wood Products, every budget was looked at for any potential reductions.”
Ellsworth said a few of the articles that might create discussion at the 9 a.m. meeting at the Forster Building are ambulance service budget, Fire Department requests and a new loader and dump body purchase.
Strong’s subsidy for Farmington-based LifeStar ambulance service is proposed at $15,100, more than double what it was last year at $6,000.
Fire Department requests are up $5,665, Ellsworth said, to cover increased training and state requirements.
Ellsworth said the purchase of a new squad truck voters agreed to purchase last year may also come up in discussion.
The truck is expected to be delivered after the town meeting, he said.
Townspeople will also have a chance to decide if they want to buy a new loader and dump body, Ellsworth said
The town has historically raised $20,000 each year for a special equipment fund. He said that reserve fund is now between $80,000 and $90,000.
With this year’s appropriation, there are more than sufficient funds to cover these purchases, he said.
The existing loader is 18 years old and past its useful life without major repairs as denoted in a recent analysis that was performed by a certified mechanic, he said.
Selectmen believe it would be in the best interest of the town to buy a new loader instead of investing money in a piece of equipment that will continue to depreciate in value, he said.
The dump body has been repaired numerous times and needs to be replaced, he said. The new body would be a slightly larger one that will add to the efficiency of operations, he added.
dperry@sunjournal.com
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