LIVERMORE FALLS — Selectmen continued to review a nearly $2.19 million proposed budget for 2011-12, which is about $14,653 more than the current budget, according to town officials.

Town Manager Kristal Flagg suggested that the board look at hiring a part-time person, 25 hours a week, 15 hours working for the town and 10 for the library, to handle cleaning, mowing, maintenance and snow removal. The cost at $12 an hour would be $16,500, she said. There would be no benefits involved, she said, because the position would be part-time.

The services were contracted out in the 2010-11 budget. The town formerly had a full-time building and grounds custodian whose position was eliminated in this year’s budget.

If you add up all the contracts and the wages that were paid to an hourly worker to fill a gap in service to the town and library, Flagg said, the town is paying more than the cost of a part-time worker.

Select board Chairman Bill Demaray said the town would also have more control over the situation.

Selectman Alphonso said the only objection he would have is that sending the contracts for services out to bid brings in competition at lower costs.

Flagg also suggested the board consider putting in $50,000 for capital improvements.

Budget Committee Chairman Scott Roberts asked selectmen if there was a projection on what the tax rate will be if expenses continue to rise and revenues continue to decline.

“We don’t know,” Selectman Louise Chabot said. The board does not have all the facts yet, she said.

The board does not know what the revenue-sharing will be with the state since the governor is proposing a decrease, which is included in the unknown factors, she said.

Budget Committee members also wanted to know if there was a plan in place to cut expenses if the town is looking at a higher tax rate than the nearly $21 per $1,000 of value taxpayers currently pay.

Budget Committee member John Ross also asked if there was a plan B in place, in case voters decide to keep the middle school open rather than close it. The cost that would be shared between Livermore and Livermore Falls if residents of both towns reject closing it would be $578,434.65

A public hearing on the vote is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, April 28, in the board room at the Central Office in Livermore Falls. Votes on the closure will be held on Tuesday, May 10, in respective towns.

Resident Fran Szostek said the town should have a plan in place in case of a crisis situation.

Flagg said the town has no debt, has a healthy surplus and is standing healthy right now.

The town doesn’t have control over many of the costs that taxpayers pay, Demaray said. The school budget takes the biggest chunk of tax dollars, he said.

Demaray suggested residents including the Budget Committee go to the RSU 73 meetings to ask for costs to be reduced. Jay and RSU 36 in Livermore and Livermore Falls will consolidate on July 1 to create the new RSU 73 school system.

The proposed budget is $18.28 million for 2011-12, which represents a $57,841.18 increase over the current $18.22 million combined budgets of Jay and RSU 36. Demaray said the proposal doesn’t reduce administrative positions.

The RSU 73 transition team will continue discussion on the proposed budget at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, at the Jay Middle School library.

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