DIXFIELD — Residents will vote on a proposed $2.15 million municipal budget next week.

Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 10 at the Dixfield American Legion Hall.

In previous years, residents voted on budget items at the annual town meeting in late May. After last year’s town meeting, a straw poll indicated the majority preferred to vote on the budget at the polls after town meeting. At the March 17 board meeting, it was decided to have the budget vote by referendum instead of by a show of hands at the town meeting.

At the annual town meeting in April, the Board of Selectmen and the Budget Committee presented their budget recommendations for 2014-15 and gave residents a chance to either approve them or vote for a lower amount.

Residents voted to approve a $2.15 million municipal budget that is $35,783 less than the 2013-14 fiscal year, and $22,602 less than the recommendation made by selectmen.

One of the major decreases in the 2014-15 proposed budget is the Executive Department. It is $297,667, or $18,325 less than this fiscal year.

Among the changes in the Executive Department were a $5,000 decrease in selectmen’s salaries, and cuts in the department’s Social Security and health insurance.

Selectmen and the Budget Committee recommended $342,598 for the Police Department, which is a $5,626 increase over this year. Residents voted 43-11 during the annual town meeting to approve the $342,598.

Residents will also vote on the following budget items:

* $518,763 for the Public Works Department, same as this fiscal year.

* $92,030 for the Fire Department budget, same as this fiscal year.

* $127,024 for the Ludden Memorial Library budget, $379 less than this fiscal year.

* $9,000 for the General Assistance budget, $1,000 more than the 2013-2014 fiscal year.

* $180,122 for the public safety budget, $230 less than this fiscal year.

* $15,515 for the code enforcement budget, $750 less than this fiscal year.

* $12,500 for the recreation budget, same as this fiscal year.

* $32,186 for the grounds budget, $7,336 more than this fiscal year.

* $36,000 for the insurance budget, $4,353 more than this fiscal year.

* $265,000 for the reserve accounts, $37,825 less than this fiscal year.

* $4,901 for the social services budget, $300 more than this fiscal year.

mdaigle@sunjournal.com

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