SABATTUS – Budget cuts approved at Saturday’s town meeting were not enough to bring down Sabattus’ taxes, and as things now stand, town officials estimate the mill rate will increase 1.5 mills to about 25.4.
But selectmen said the figure is just an estimate, and a final figure will not be set until the town property revaluation is completed in June.
“We are trying to keep it under 24 and I think we will get it,” selectmen Chairman Gino Camardese said. “I don’t think we will hit 25, we’re predicting it wont go up due to the cuts that were made this year.
To help annual town meeting voters crunch numbers and compare figures, the newly formed budget committee gave a presentation comparing the money appropriated for the current year and the percentage increase or decrease proposed for next year.
“We tried to get as much information out to the public as possible but on several instances the figures were not provided to us,” budget Chairman Karen Atwood said. Selectmen placed that blame on inadequate computer software, and said the current system is undergoing a drastic change.
Voters approved a 2.5 percent increase in the school budget for kindergarten through eighth-grade.
By budgeting the recommended $982,467 for schools, the town is eligible for about $4.5 million in state funding under the Essential Programs and Services Funding Act, said state Rep. Scott Lansley. “This brings the total figure to $5.5 million,” he said. Voters also approved another $769,232 in school-related funding.
Although voting in favor of the articles pertaining to the school, Camardese said he believes the government is playing a numbers game.
“Instead of the state funding 100 percent of the promised 52 percent, it will instead fund 84 percent of the 52 percent, which means we have to raise taxes until the state catches up with its school funding formula,” he said.
“It’s just smoke and mirrors. The state restricts municipality funding but then doesn’t restrict itself. That’s just not right, especially with its unfunded state mandates that just puts weight on taxpayers.”
Voters backed an amendment by Selectman William Luce that only $50,000 of the $100,000 budgeted for highway projects be allotted. He said that because of the number of construction projects this year, he believes the town will not get around to paving projects before the tarring season comes to an end.
Camardese also advocated reducing the $15,900 in funding for local charities, as recommended by selectmen, to $4,300. He said the Rural Community Action Ministry ($2,000), Loaves & Fishes ($1,800) and Boy Scout Troop 110 ($500) should continue to receive funds because they don’t get federal and state funding. Camardese said he believes that charities receiving town funds as well as state and federal money could possibly be triple-dipping.
In a very controversial vote, townspeople voted to have the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department conduct a study of the county’s providing police services to the town, and dismantling the current Sabattus Police Department. Selectman and Androscoggin Deputy Chief Guy Desjardins said he has a strong respect for the Sabattus Police Department and would not recommend a change unless the town was unhappy with the current police service. The budget committee favors the study.
Police Chief Thomas Fales disagreed. Under the Sheriff’s Department, his current position would be eliminated and many of his officers’ hours would be reduced. “They want to compare apples to apples, but how am I to compete with that?” he said. “These officers, although just a study, don’t know if they will have a job next year.” Results of the study will be announced at town meeting next year.
Voters also agreed with the selectmen and budget committee to appropriate $150,000 for the second annual payment for the new municipality building, an increase of about $60,000. Officials said the move would save the town a substantial amount of interest.
Residents also changed the road commissioner’s position to an appointed one, and gave Sabattus its first comprehensive plan in 20 years.
Comments are no longer available on this story