BRIDGTON – Voters will be asked to approve a municipal budget of just over $4.4 million when they attend the annual town meeting Wednesday.
Town Manager Ronnie Belanger said Thursday that the $4,330,884 budget is down $87,362, or 1.98 percent.
Belanger said lower liability insurance premiums, smaller increases in health insurance costs, and lower-than-expected waste disposal rates contributed to keeping the budget in check.
The Bridgton Board of Selectmen also has proposed cuts to funding requests made by a number of social service agencies, he said. Belanger said he expects some discussion during the town meeting on a proposal to restructure the Bridgton Police Department. The change would involve moving a patrolman into a newly created position of lieutenant.
Belanger said the chief would be asked to make more public appearances and to work on improving community relations, while the lieutenant would assume many of the chief’s former administrative duties.
Despite the proposed changes, Belanger said overtime, vacation and sick pay are actually responsible for increases in the Police Department budget.
The town meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the town hall.
Municipal elections and votes on a series of proposed ordinance changes will take place by secret ballot from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the town hall.
Robert Bell, William Dyer, Joan Gardner, incumbent Robert McHatton, Daniel Nowell, John Rogers and Nancy Smoak are running for two open seats on the Board of Selectmen.
Incumbent Gordon Davis is running against Deanna Miller for one open seat on the Bridgton Planning Board. Incumbent Stevens Barker is running for trustee of the Bridgton Water District. Wayne Warner Sr. is running for a two-year position on the SAD 61 Board of Directors, while Donna Lord is running unopposed for one of two three-year terms on the SAD 61 board.
No one has filed papers to run for an open position for a Planning Board alternate.
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