JAY — Selectpersons on Monday approved a preliminary proposed spending plan of $6.25 million for 2018-19.

The amount includes changes proposed by the board and voted on during the budget workshop, Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere said Tuesday.

The proposal is an increase of $126,222 from this year’s budget. After factoring in $1.76 million in anticipated revenues, the net budget is $4.48 million, $9,278 less than the current net budget.

The board will continue review and make its final recommendation at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 5, and Tuesday, Feb. 6, at Spruce Mountain Middle School. The Budget Committee will also make recommendations on the budget those nights. 

The budget will go to voters at the annual town meeting referendum from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 24, at the Community Building.

As it stands, the proposal includes funds for capital reserve accounts that were not funded in the current budget.

It also factors in the final $1.33 million payment of a $4 million settlement with Verso Corp. regarding the overvaluation of Androscoggin Mill and associated equipment.

The proposed budget includes $97,870 less in health insurance costs from the current budget, which takes into account changes in insurance plans and employees contributing more toward premiums, LaFreniere said. 

The board also proposes $250,000 — $70,000 more than in the current budget — be raised for paving. It is $100,000 less than the town’s Road Committee recommended.  

Selectpersons recommend not funding in the 2018-19: Jay Historical Society, Spruce Mountain Ski Club, North Jay Grange, the Independence Day (July 3) Parade and heating assistance for Area Youth Sports, LaFreniere said.

They also propose putting requests for Spruce Mountain Ski Area insurance, $11,300;  July 4 fireworks, $2,000; and AYS insurance, $2,500; and the Summer Recreation Program, $12,000, on the ballot for voters, she said.

If voters approve them, the money would come from the Recreation/Tower Reserve account, as it did last year, she said.

The board also recommends reducing the amount for Tri-Town Ministerial Association to $500. It is half of what the association requested for the food cupboard. 

The spending package combines the budget for the Public Works Department and Transfer Station into one budget. The building and grounds line has been eliminated with the municipal building expenses split between town government and the Police Department budgets. 

The animal control officer and animal shelter fees that were previously in the building and grounds account are now included in professional services. The change was made to accurately reflect the expenses of the departments in which they occur, LaFreniere said.

dperry@sunmediagroup.net

Jay Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere, left, and Selectpersons Terry Bergeron, Tim DeMillo, Keith Cornelio, Gary McGrane and Judy Diaz review a preliminary budget Monday night at Spruce Mountain Middle School in Jay.

Copy the Story Link