FARMINGTON – Members of the Franklin County Budget Committee, mindful of voters’ property taxes, were looking for ways to shave dollars from the proposed budget Monday night.

They voted to halve the requested budget for the Greater Franklin Development Corp., recommending a total of $30,000.

Alison Hagerstrom, executive director for the corporation, said she was disappointed Tuesday. But there is always opportunity to discuss it further at public hearing, she said.

The corporation, founded five years ago, hoped to be able to wean themselves off county funding by getting grants and private donations. Hagerstrom said her sense was that this was one of the committee’s concerns.

But to become self-supporting in just five years is “quite an endeavor,” she said. The request was for the same amount as this year, she added.

Peter Judkins, treasurer for the corporation, admitted that the group did promise to be self-funded, but it is tough to raise those funds in this economy, he said.

Another apparent issue was the organization’s reserve, which had grown in the last year or so.

Michael Luciano, board chairman for the corporation, and Judkins said there was $94,000 in its bank account as of Monday. The group was not expecting any additional revenue for the year, though, Judkins said.

Hagerstrom told members that the group spent $12,000 for one feasibility study this year. She expects to do more studies next year and may need significantly more funding to do so. The corporation turned down one project this year expected to cost $50,000 because it looked like a “long shot,” she said. Hagerstrom is also hoping to spend money marketing the region to other states in New England. So far the focus has been on other regions of Maine.

“Progress has been amazing in the last two years” since Hagerstrom became director, Judkins said. Its Web site, he said, went from receiving 100 hits monthly to 2,000 in the same time period.

“We have great momentum right now. I don’t want to pull the plug on that,” he said.

Luciano told the committee, “Companies are really looking at us now. Things are happening as we speak. If we don’t do it, nobody will,” he added.

Judkins and Luciano said they also hope to provide Hagerstrom with part-time administrative support.

Hagerstrom also pointed to needed matching funds to receive an anticipated grant from Sandy River Charitable Foundation. But, she warned, just because the corporation was invited to apply doesn’t mean it will get the grant, she said.

Committee member Keith Swett of East Dixfield made a motion to approve $10,000 for the group rather than the requested $60,000.

Russell Black of Wilton said he was uncomfortable with the organization’s large surplus, but reducing their request to $10,000 was a large cut, he said.

“Do you want to put a stranglehold on them and then take the blame?” he asked fellow members.

Swett said he expects to fund the corporation again next year.

Chairman David Archer and member Stephen Charles agreed that the group’s reserve account was large, but both agreed that Swett’s motion was too extreme.

After several motions, the committee eventually voted 5-3 for $30,000.

PULL OUT>>>>

Corporation highlights from 2004:

• August – Wilton’s G.H. Bass facility is renamed the Nichols/Bass Business and Technology Center as master developer Nichols Development LLC takes ownership of the facility under a plan to employ 700 people in a variety of on-site businesses by 2010.

• April – Pine Tree Business status is awarded to Wilton health management software firm ScoreHealth by Gov. John Baldacci

• February – Wilton is awarded a $100,000 Community Development Block Grant for faade improvement.

• February – Kingfield, Wilton and Jay are awarded Pine Tree Development status for the Androscoggin Valley Region.

New businesses in Franklin County:

• ScoreHealth: health screening software program developers

• Dyeables: formal wear products and services including footwear, handbags and dyes

• Synernet Inc.: medical transcription service using cutting-edge voice recognition technology

• New England Wire Products: producer of customized display racks from wire, plastic and wood

Source: Greater Franklin Development Corp. Web site