LIVERMORE FALLS — Selectmen will hold a public hearing 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Town Office on a nearly $7.5 million proposed spending package for 2024-25, which includes school and county assessments.

Voting on the proposal will be held April 23 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the fire station.

Town Manager Carrie Castonguay said Thursday that the municipal budget reflects increases in wages, supplies and insurances.

Selectmen previously granted increases in wages using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.

Additionally, there are new line items delineating expenses not previously detailed in prior budgets.

“This is for transparency and accuracy in budgeting in subsequent years,” Castonguay said.

Factoring in $3 million from state and other local revenues, taxpayers will be asked to raise an estimated $4.4 million; $103,000 less than the prior years budget, Castonguay said.

The total budget increase from last year cannot be accurately measured due to a new chart of accounts being used based on recommendations from the town’s auditor. The new chart of accounts combines some cost centers that were previously stand-alone warrant articles.

The proposed public safety budget is $1 million, which includes police, fire service, hydrants, ambulance services, street lights and animal control. Most of these were in individual budgets last year.

The proposed $640,000 sewer budget includes the collection system and the town’s share of the Wastewater Treatment Plant budget, which sewer users pay for. Users also pay for the debt service related to the bonds taken out for the plant.

Jay pays for half the cost of the plant upgrade and a portion of the operating and maintenance cost of the treatment plant budget based on the percentage of sewage treated at the Livermore Falls plant.

Also included in the spending plan are the town’s share of Regional School Unit 73, which is about $2.49 million, and Androscoggin County taxes, which is about $308,168. These items will not be voted on in the municipal warrant.

However, residents from Livermore Falls will vote on a proposed RSU 73 budget. The other two towns in the district will also vote on school budget at respective polling places.

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