Overruns brought on by tough winter, economy

MECHANIC FALLS – Winter took its toll on the town’s budget, and Town Manager John Hawley told the Town Council on Monday night that they will eventually have to call a special town meeting to sort out the accounts.

Hit with double the 14 storms built into the budget, Hawley said the town spent $16,000 more than anticipated for diesel, plus labor overtime and costs for sand and salt and endured an economic climate that drained the town’s welfare allotment and more, all of which resulted in projected overages totaling more than $62,000.

Hawley said he hopes about $45,000 in potential savings from other budget lines will be available to reduce the shortage to $17,000.

“The good news is we’re anticipating a revenue surplus of $89,000, but, unfortunately, we haven’t been authorized by a town meeting to – one, over expend the budget – and, two, apply the surplus revenues,” said Hawley.

The council agreed to wait until the budget year ends June 30 and, with more exact figures, to hold a special town meeting in September to balance the budget.

The council also signed the warrant calling residents to the town’s annual town meeting, set for Saturday, May 17. Budget articles that voters will act on set overall town spending for 2008-2009 at about $6.8 million – $2.1 million to run municipal operations and $4.7 million for education.

Hawley also reported that with the snow quickly vanishing, town cleanup week will be held as usual during April school vacation week. Several youths will be hired to sweep and clean up the downtown, and the council agreed to open the town’s trash transfer station from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the April 20 and 27, the Sundays at either end of school vacation week, to give people the opportunity to clean house.

Hawley credited letters and an ongoing petition for drawing the Maine Department of Transportation’s attention to problems at Five Corners, the intersection of Winterbrook Road and routes 26 and 11, where many believe warrants a traffic light.

Hawley said officials from Mechanic Falls and Poland will meet with MDOT representatives at the intersection, April 15, at 9 a.m., to discuss options for improving safety.

Councilor Rielly Bryant reported that the new emergency phone, recently installed on the side of the Municipal Building, is working as intended and has proven its worth in two or three instances.

When the building is closed it’s difficult for anyone running to the building in search of police assistance to gain attention. Now, when the receiver is picked up, the phone dials directly to a person, either in the police station or the Androscoggin Sheriff’s office.