DIXFIELD – Selectmen and the town’s Finance Committee, who will begin developing the 2006-07 operating budget later this month, have set their first official meeting for March 8.
Town Manager Jeff Jacobson said following Monday’s regular selectmen’s meeting that department heads are expected to discuss their needs between now and the end of the month. On March 8, the fire chief, librarian and some of the smaller departments will make their presentations to the board and committee.
Future meetings will be set to hear presentations by public works, the police department and others.
He said the board has directed him to develop a budget equal to or less than the $1,866,000 municipal budget adopted by residents at last June’s annual town meeting.
He said this year’s warrant should be posted by May 27. The date of the town meeting hasn’t yet been officially set; however, it’s likely to be on a Thursday or Saturday of the first or second week of June.
In a related matter, Dixfield Economic Development Council member Norine Clarke appeared before the board to ask for a written policy and a budget to operate the town’s Web site.
“We need to contract with someone to update businesses, meetings and meeting minutes,” she said, suggesting that the cost should be no more than $1,000 a year.
Selectmen agreed the Web site is an important tool in the town’s economic development and directed the budget item to be placed in the town manager’s budget. They also directed him to look into a means of keeping the site updated.
In other matters, the board agreed to hire Deborah Gallant Management Associates of Portland to conduct a compensation survey of Dixfield employees compared to salaries of employees working for towns of similar size. The survey will also include a study of job descriptions to assure an accurate comparison of similar jobs. The cost will be $2,300 plus any out-of-pocket expenses.
The board also voted to hire accountant Keel Hood of Fairfield to conduct the annual audit of the water and sewer departments at an estimated cost of between $2,500 and $3,000.
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