BUCKFIELD — After three years of uncertainty and financial difficulties, officials appear to have town affairs back on track.
On Tuesday, the Select Board scheduled the annual town meeting for June 13. It will be the first time since 2019 that the town has scheduled its annual meeting to vote on the municipal budget and other business before the end of the fiscal year, which is June 30.
In two of the past three years, the Town Meeting was held in August, while in 2021, it was held the last week of September, three months into that fiscal year.
Most of the delays those years were due to poor record keeping following a revolving door of town managers and office personnel. With the help of a couple former town officials brought in by former Town Manager Lorna Nichols, the town’s record keeping and fiscal health improved.
Town Manager Cameron Hinkley, who has been on the job for the past six months, met with department heads early and developed a 2023-24 municipal budget that he believes will have a minimal impact on the overall tax rate.
He presented a draft copy of the warrants to the Select Board at Tuesday’s meeting, which gives them time to review and offer any possible changes.
The board will hold two public hearings on the proposed budget — Tuesday, March 21, at 6 p.m. and Saturday, March 25, at 9 a.m.
Selectmen will meet at 11 a.m. following the March 25 hearing to consider any changes to the warrants and proposed budget suggested by residents.
Voting for the June 13 meeting will be by secret ballot at the polls instead of meeting in person.
One of the warrants asks voters whether they want to continue voting on the warrant at the polls or at an in-person meeting.
In other business, Glen Holmes gave an update on the Buckfield Village Corp., which serves as the town’s water district. The district, which has not raised rates in 15 years, will consider a 20% increase at its March 28 meeting. Any proposed increase would have to be approved by the Maine Public Utilities Commission before it is enacted. Holmes said the target date is July 1.
A bigger concern is the possible replacement of the water line, which runs from North Pond to High Street near the Masonic Hall and is more than 100 years old. A firm that studied the proposed project estimated the replacement cost at $7 million, which Holmes said was cost prohibitive for a system that serves 180 residences.
Holmes said the corporation is considering an alternative plan that would add wells to the system. The corporation said it would likely start with a test well to measure capacity, he said. The well system was considered several years ago before a filter plant was installed.
The wells would need to produce 300 gallons per minute to provide enough water to keep the tanks full in case of fires. Homes said the early estimate for the well system was $3 million. The corporation is planning to apply for a federal grant.
The board also approved spending $7,831.80 from the emergency contingency account to cover the remainder of the bill to the Maine Municipal Association for money owed to the Workers’ Compensation fund. The money covers the premium owed, not a claim.
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