POLAND — The Select Board decided Tuesday that some funds from a tax increment financing district can be considered during upcoming budget deliberations, for offsetting a proposed 22.26% increase in municipal salaries aimed at making wages more equal with similar area towns.

Recent discussions have centered on how the town would pay for a wage increase for 29 town workers that amounts to $212,824 per year.

That amount was determined by HR Maine Consulting, which was contracted by the town to perform an equity wage study earlier this year. The firm compared Poland’s wages to similar positions in Auburn, Casco, Lisbon, Mechanic Falls, Raymond, Sabattus and Turner.

Town Manager Matt Garside said the plan approved by the board earlier in the year to draw down money from the TIF does not require the money be put in a TIF account, so “that money is available for general fund obligations.”

Garside said the drawdown plan would put an additional $355,000 in the town’s general fund. He noted that figure, plus “an increase in estimated revenues, allows our budget to come in at $456,000 less next year before adding any increases in salaries.”

By including a portion of the $355,000 TIF drawdown, “we would be able to fund the salary survey 100% on year one without affecting the mill rate and moving forward,” Garside stated.

According to Garside, “The funds drawdown goes on for about another eight years, until the TIF life is over. The amount does change year-to-year and is part of our budget.”

In other action Tuesday night, the board learned that construction on the sewer extension project on state Route 26, between Top Gun and Cyndi’s Dockside restaurant, began Nov. 8. Pratt & Sons is the project contractor.

Pratt & Sons’ construction bid of $2.77 million was nearly $1 million less than the anticipated estimate submitted by the engineering firm of Wright-Pierce in 2020, when the town approved a $4.8 million bond package.

Garside told the Select Board at a previous meeting that Pratt & Sons said they could save money by beginning the work this fall.

That would enable the contractor to keep the workforce intact without layoffs during the course of the construction, which is expected to be finished by next spring.

Garside also told the board that a project this large does have its share of change orders and the unspent funds may well be needed. Garside has the ability to approve change orders up to $10,000. Amounts higher than that require select board approval.

Garside said residents who are close to or abut Route 26 in the construction zone have been informed where connections to the sewer line will be located. They will be given cost estimates if they are interested in hooking up to the line.

In other business, Garside said the board of directors for Regional School Unit 16 approved a request by its three towns to schedule the school budget referendum question on the same day as the state’s June 14 election day. The timing will reduce work and strain on election personnel in  Mechanic Falls, Minot and Poland, which make up RSU 16.

Three residents were also appointed to three town committees.

Chrissy Kimball will serve on the Community Economic Development Committee.

Dustin Wood was appointed to the Board of Appeals.

Jennie Raby was named to the Scholarship Committee.

Copy the Story Link

« Previous

In full bloom for Small Business Saturday in Auburn, new owner for Sabattus bakery

Next »

D. Robin Beck elected vice chair of Regional School Unit 73 board of directors