Among the greatest concerns held by most of the four town managers who lead Fayette, Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls is not knowing what the state will do about revenue sharing and other state funding.

Those funds are crucial to each town and help keep property taxes as low as possible. Most have lost some state funding, and now the town managers wonder whether some will be restored, or more lost.

“We’re very concerned with our budgets. We’re half way through the fiscal year and we’ve received only 28 percent of what was promised,” said Jay Town Manager Ruth Cushman. “We’re also concerned about other budget impacts from Augusta, particularly state aid to education. We’re already a low receiver. And general assistance is a real concern for our neediest citizens.”

Livermore Falls Town Manager Kristal Flagg emphasized similar concerns.

“Our big worry is what the state will do and what happens at the state legislature,” she said.

Kurt Schaub, Livermore’s town manager, said he and the board will keep a close watch on state revenue sharing.

“Sixty-eight percent of our property taxes go to education,” he said.

Along with concerns, each of the town’s leaders also have many hopes for 2014.

In Fayette, Town Manager Mark Robinson said his board has worked out a series of goals that include updating the town’s comprehensive plan, creating a formal improvement process that includes establishing nest eggs for equipment that must be purchased or leased, work on growth control that emphasizes low impact development, and amendments to the land use ordinance.

He is upbeat about the number of new housing starts in this town of 1,200, and he’s waiting for the state to make decisions on abandoned or discontinued roads. Another major goal is to purchase a generator for the town office.

In Livermore Falls, Flagg hopes tax increment financing projects will be established that she believes would help the economic climate in town. She’s also looking toward getting a natural gas pipeline which she said would be a big boost to the town.

“We’re always looking for new businesses or business expansion, maybe at the (former) Otis mill,” she said.

She and the board also aim to create a balance between the municipal budget and services.

“I hope we can all reach an agreement,” she said.

Schaub hopes an active group will take the lead to preserve the town’s community building.

“I’m very interested in seeing where that heads. The building is structurally sound,” he said.

Other goals or concerns include establishment of a committee to explore educational options for students.

“We have no preconceived notions. We want to make sure our students get the best education,” he said.

Cushman is pleased that a new groomer shed has been built and tentative plans are in the works for acquiring the French Falls recreation field from Verso Paper Co. A highway construction project along Route 4 between Pineau and Tweedie streets is planned, and like Flagg, she believes the natural gas pipeline project would be a positive event for the town.

Cushman also wants townspeople to know how well department heads do their work.

“I’ve never seen a group of people as compassionate, competent and dependable as these. They know their stuff,” she said.

Livermore Falls Town Manager Kristal Flagg

Jay Town Manager Ruth Cushman

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