People will also consider a Pine Tree Zone plan, a new firetruck and a land purchase.
JAY – Voters have 39 articles to review Tuesday and a proposed $16.5 million budget for municipal and school operations in 2004-05.

The polls open at 9 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. April 20 at the Community Building.

The municipal side of the spending proposal is $5.58 million, reflecting an increase of $166,812 or 2.98 percent.

The school’s proposal is $10.95 million, a $687,943, or 6.7 percent, increase. Of that amount, $10.6 million is proposed to operate the education program, a 4 percent, or $420,480, increase over the existing budget. The remainder would be for adult education and short- and long-term projects, including $125,000 for an elevator at the high school to come into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The net appropriation for school and municipal services, after revenues are factored in, would be $13.26 million, which is $801,568, or 6 percent more than the current year.

Townspeople will also consider adopting a development plan of the Androscoggin Valley Pine Tree Zone for properties at and near the vacant Ames building and a site on Route 4 in North Jay bordering Wilton.

Town Manager Ruth Marden said voters’ approval would give the town extra state assistance to attract businesses. It does not require the town to give a tax break to new businesses, she said.

Townspeople will be looking at financing a new firetruck, with borrowed money not to exceed $200,186. The Fire Rescue Department has $138,909 in reserve and is asking for another $50,000 in 2004-05 budget to cover the $389,095 pumper.

Another purchase voters will consider is a parcel of land of about 25 acres adjacent to the North Jay Sewer Treatment Plant on Jerry Street.

The cost of the property is $10,000, which is already in a Sewer Department reserve account.

The land is needed because the state has tightened up pollution loads, especially phosphorous, on small streams and rivers, said Sewer Superintendent Mark Holt.

Other articles on the warrant ask whether townspeople want to continue printing town and school employees’ names and salaries in the annual town report, and seek to raise $10,000 to establish a war memorial fund to update the Chisholm Square memorial to honor all veterans and public safety personnel in Jay.
dperry@sunjournal.com

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