RANGELEY – Rangeley selectmen did not act on issues with a proposed budget for the unorganized territories at their meeting Tuesday night. They will be discussing it at their next meeting on Dec. 21, according to Perry Ellsworth, town manager, but that will be after a final budget is passed Monday.

Franklin County commissioners voted not to approve $10,380 on Rangeley’s requested budget for ambulance service to the townships in November, saying that the county was already being charged for that service by Franklin Memorial Hospital. They also did not fund the town’s request for parks and recreation, cemeteries and sludge removal.

Ellsworth told commissioners that the selectmen feel the budget was an “all or nothing” deal. If the county does not pay the town directly, Ellsworth said Wednesday, it is unclear who will provide ambulance service to the unorganized territories.

Out of the five ambulance services under the hospital’s umbrella, Rangeley’s service is unique – its ambulances and building are owned by the town.

“These are real bills, these are real costs,” said Ellsworth. “If the governor is going to hold our budgets to 2.5 percent, the towns will not be able to pay the unorganized territories’ bills,” he said. “This is a volatile thing,” he added.

Selectmen discussed other items, including the Taylor Road. They decided to continue plowing the 350-foot, town-owned section, and a power easement near the airport for this season, and will consider a possible discontinuance in the spring.

Everett Quimby presented possible plans for getting the airport’s automated weather observation system calibrated and running. LifeFlight, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Weather Service are all considering taking over the system. If they do, it would be at no cost to the town, according to Ellsworth.

Selectmen gave Ellsworth authority to pursue several grant applications, one for a water pumping station, another for delivery of local and regional services, and a third to beautify the town’s entrance areas.