DIXFIELD – In two separate meetings on Monday, selectmen set the schedule for hiring a new town manager and for getting the annual budget process started.

Town Manager Jeff Jacobson, who is leaving by the end of March, said the board set March 30 as the deadline for applications for his position. He said advertisements are expected to appear on the Maine Municipal Association Web site and in several state newspapers by Sunday, March 11.

He said the Town Manager Hiring Committee will comprise selectmen and two residents.

People interested in serving on the committee are asked to put their request in writing and drop it off at the town office. Two people will be chosen at the March 27 selectmen’s meeting.

After the special board meeting to begin the town manager search process, Jacobson said the board met with the town’s Finance Committee. For the first time in several years, he said the board and committee were presented with the total request rather than one piece at a time as he, and other town managers, have done in the past.

He said the two boards will begin working with a proposed $1,952,000 municipal budget for fiscal year 2007-2008. This year’s operating budget is $1,932,000.

Joint meetings of the board and committee are set for March 13 after the regular selectmen’s meeting and March 14 at 6 p.m. Other meetings will likely be set later.

The annual town meeting will be held in June.