FARMINGTON – Franklin County commissioners unanimously approved Tuesday a 2009-10 unorganized territory budget of $871,870, well under the tax cap set by the state.

The total is also considerably less than the $966,137 that had been requested by various departments. Commissioners held a public hearing prior to the meeting to discuss ways to save without compromising services.

Rangeley’s share of the fire protection budget was reduced from the requested $33,498 to $18,542. Commissioners noted that the requested figure included a payment for a new Rangeley firetruck, and balked at having to appropriate the extra funds.

Commissioner Gary McGrane pointed out that even though some towns may not receive requested grants for such equipment, it shouldn’t be the county’s responsibility to foot the extra amounts.

“We still have to look out for those people that live in that area,” said Commissioner Fred Hardy regarding the unorganized territories that Rangeley’s fire department serves.

“I don’t think that’s fair to the rest of the taxpayers,” McGrane said. “We’re not trying to be hard-nosed.” He warned against the county setting precedents by funding requests to fill in gaps in equipment funding for towns.

“It all needs to be encapsulated over a period of time and not run out over one year,” McGrane said.

There was a reduction in UT road budget paving reserves, as a request from Road Agent Jerry Haines was lowered from $120,000 to $30,000. Commissioners took into account that Haines had noted he would need a maximum of $30,000 to perform paving projects.

In the heavy ditching portion of the road budget, there was an increase from $30,000 to $40,000 due to a rise in state rates to perform the work. Commissioners lowered general maintenance from $90,000 to $75,000, expenses were decreased from $5,500 to $500, and calcium chloride and brush control were cut by a combined $11,000.

The Freeman Ridge Cemetery Association requested $300 for maintenance and upkeep. Hardy asked if the county should be responsible for maintaining gravestones, one of the items listed in the association’s treasurer’s report.

“I thought that was the responsibility of the owner,” he said.

“What we do is set aside a certain amount for maintenance and care of the cemetery,” McGrane said.

The $300 was included in the UT budget.

A six-month transitional budget is being adopted for Jan. 1 to June 30, 2009, to adjust the starting date of the fiscal year to July 1. A 12 month budget will begin on July 1, 2009.

The change was undertaken to comply with a law that enacted in the last legislative session as part of the Jail Consolidation Act.