LIVERMORE FALLS – Selectmen reviewed the 41 proposed articles on the annual town meeting warrant with Budget Committee members Tuesday night and issued a statement Wednesday morning regarding it.

“The selectmen want voters to know that they have pared the proposed budget as far as they can and still maintain most of the current service level,” Town Manager Alan Gove said on behalf of the board.

“They’re trying not to have an increase in the tax rate and having the school hold to a flat rate has helped,” he added. The present tax rate is 24.45 mills.

Gove estimates the total figure on the selectmen’s budget is $2,043,005, an increase of just $16,000 over last year’s budget. This includes the selectmen’s figures on the move upstairs, a library and the Fire Department.

The Budget Committee saw differently on those items: Their budget is about $40,000 which would translate into a third of a mill increase.

As of Wednesday afternoon, no place had been found to hold town meeting. Officials had hoped to have it at Murray Hall because they’re concerned the library auditorium may be too small, but the hall is not available. Gove said he’s looking into using a school facility.

Selectmen have agreed to include a question on the ballot about having the town meeting vote done by referendum. It would then be discussed at town meeting.

Selectmen refused to appoint a Budget Committee as those currently serving wanted it to be an open-ended group with no membership limit. Currently saying they are willing to serve are Bill Nichols, Kevin Morrissey, Gaileen Buckley, Joyce Drake, Bruce Adams and Maxine Bailey.

Board members said they were pleased, however, with the committee’s willingness to work throughout the year and to have periodic meetings to keep up with how the town’s finances are working.

Chairman Elaine Smith announced her retirement from the committee, citing business, school and family commitments.

In other business, pressure was put on the selectmen and the library association to meet to figure out who owns what. Select Chairman Bernal Lake agreed, noting such a meeting had been needed for a long time.

“I’ve been pushing for that for years, there’s been a lot of misunderstanding,” said Roger Ouellette who head the library group.

“It’s an odd entity, I’d like to see it ironed out,” said Denise Rodzen.

The board also denied the purchase of a mulcher for the Highway Department, to keep spending down, and it approved the proposed building notification and pawn shop ordinances for the warrant.

Approval was given to the new figures with Jay, which see that town paying 54 percent and Livermore Falls 46 percent.

They agreed to have Ted Berry Co. do catch-basin cleaning on a per day basis, denied a request for “no jake-brake” signs downtown, approved a request from the code officer to accrue overtime towards sick or vacation time, signed a catering permit for Murray Hall and a quit claim deed for Larry Dustin.

Copy the Story Link