NEW GLOUCESTER – Selectmen on Monday tabled three agenda items dealing with spending money until Tuesday’s vote on the Palesky tax-cap referendum.

Selectmen say requests from department heads for capital reserve programs must wait until the outcome of Tuesday’s vote.

Selectmen have been wary in recent months on future budget issues, in the event that the tax-cap measure passes.

And a budget schedule for fiscal year 2005 was tabled as well.

Also, a $6,500 roll-off container to manage the higher volumes of household trash at the town’s transfer station may need voter approval to take the money from a general ledger account or the undesignated fund balance.

Town Manager Rosemary Kulow said the town’s auditors and attorney recently advised selectmen that capital reserve account and funds generated from a general ledger account or undesignated fund balances must meet certain practices.

Selectmen were told they have authority to spend funds from capital reserve accounts for intended purposes. The auditor and town attorney advised that authority to spend funds from other special revenue general ledger accounts should come from a town meeting vote.

Kulow said three town staff positions need to be filled.

Public Works Director Willard Waterman’s retirement on Nov. 30 is being handled by an interview committee. Peter Coghlan, head of Maine Department of Transportation Local roads Center; Greg Dore, public works director of Skowhegan; and Steve Libby, chairman of the New Gloucester Board of Selectmen, are on the interview committee.

In addition, positions for a full-time truck driver/laborer and part-time clerical assistant are open.