FARMINGTON — Selectmen took an initial look at the proposed town budget Tuesday as department leaders explained their requests.

The $3,978,712 spending plan for 2011 represents an increase of $31,242 over 2010. Department requests include a 2.15 percent cost-of-living wage hike and higher health insurance costs for town employees.

There is a 22 percent increase requested for the assessor department. Assessor Mark Caldwell told the board that he budgeted a $5,000 increase to set aside $10,000 for a revaluation reserve fund. Last year, $5,000 was appropriated for the fund.

The assessor budget also has a software purchase and an assistant’s wage increase to bring it to where it should be, Caldwell told the board.

Salaries and wages, along with a change from paying mileage to a monthly stipend for travel for the Code Enforcement Department, brings that department’s figure up by 2.95 percent, or $4,161, Steve Kaiser, code enforcement officer, said.

The Fire Rescue Department is requesting a $7,701 increase, bringing the budget to $287,671. The increase includes $2,000 for vehicle maintenance, greater heating needs for the Farmington Falls station and more for the reserve account, Fire Chief Terry Bell explained. The reserve amount is based on paying off the debt service on the tower truck purchase.

A $7,508 increase in cemetery maintenance is to cover motor fuel and the cost of replacing a tractor, potentially, for $5,800, town Treasurer Diana Young told the board.

The Parks and Recreation budget of $156,649 is nearly $500 less than last year, Director Steve Shible said. After 30 years as recreation director, Shible said he is asking for an adjustment to his salary to make it comparable to other department heads. Other expected increases for the department include electricity, motor fuel and clothing and apparel, he said.

The Police Department’s budget of $1,015,292 is a decrease of about $2,600 from last year. The amount is a partial year’s salary for police officers who haven’t been hired yet and a reduction in travel and education, Chief Jack Peck said.

It includes a $5,000 increase to land/property improvements to pay for architect fees on the proposed new station. Peck said an alternate budget that includes expenses for the new building will be done in case voters approve the gift of a building from Franklin Memorial Hospital, he said.

The Public Works proposal of $992,419 is a $1,000 decrease over last year. Director Denis Castonguay expects less fuel will be needed and utility costs will improve. Windows have been replaced at the town garage and lighting changes alone amount to a $1,000 difference in the department’s electricity needs this year over last year, he explained.

The Budget Committee will continue to work on the proposal, which goes to voters in March. The budget covers the fiscal year Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2011.

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