RUMFORD —  Town Manager Stacy Carter said he expects the 2021-22 tax rate to be at or below last year, even though the proposed municipal budget of $9.89 million is up $74,377.

“I feel that even though there’s a slight increase in the budget, I know there’s going to be funds in this budget that aren’t spent that will go back into the general fund,” he said. “We’ve been doing well on state revenue-sharing. That will all go to offset taxes, and I expect the mill rate to come in at and really below what it currently is.”

Finance Director Deb Laurinaitis indicated Friday that figure represents a 0.76% increase from the 2020-21 fiscal year, which ends June 30.

In September, selectmen dropped the 2020-21 tax rate by $7.90, to $22.60 per $1,000 of assessed value from fiscal year 2019-20 as a result of completing the town revaluation.

Carter noted the proposed budget reflects only the municipal side, not Regional School Unit 10’s spending plan.

“Now, we’ve got to take into account the school budget,” he said. “I also know they got a lot of CARES Act money that may or may not help that cause.”

Carter said they also have to make sure the town maintains a healthy fund balance and the reserves for any emergencies.

“We’re going to be following our capital plan on replacing equipment if needed, but we have no big-ticket items planned,” he said. “We want to make sure we take care of this building,” referring to the Town Hall. “We’ve got some roof repair that needs to be done.”

Further, with the LED streetlight project complete, the town should see a small savings in that budget this year, he said. However, the solid waste costs have gone up, particularly due to recycling.

“We really need people to recycle more,” Carter said. “Any recycled material they throw in the garbage we have to pay to get rid off, whereas if they separate it, we get paid for getting rid of it. We need people to be more cognizant of that and help us out to save on the environment and on our costs as well.”

One question on the June 8 annual Town Meeting warrant asks voters to approve discontinuing a section of Railroad Street to facilitate the proposed Veterans Affairs clinic. The town approved selling land for it and the award for the project is expected in April or May.

“All indications are that it’s going through,” Carter said.

Another article asks voters if they want to approve recreational use of marijuana in the form of retail stores, manufacturing, cultivating and testing, and whether there should be a limit on stores.

Another issue facing voters in June is whether to replace the Central Fire Station. An in-person public hearing is set for 6 p.m. March 25 in the Rumford Falls Auditorium of the town office building.

“I think the question that will go before the voters will be a straw poll whether or not they support building and funding a new fire station,” Carter said.

A public hearing on the budget and warrant articles will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 15, in Rumford Falls Auditorium before the regular selectmen meeting.

A combined town meeting and public hearing to discuss the warrant and budget, and to vote on nonbudget articles, will be held at 5 p.m. Monday, June 7, in the Muskie Auditorium at Mountain Valley High School.

Voters will go to the polls June 8 at the American Legion to cast their ballots.

Carter said the town’s state-mandated tax cap for allowable growth is at $331,000. “We’re well under that, so there shouldn’t be any problem meeting that. I think we’re in a good place,” he said.

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