In 2022, the town of Norway asked citizens to consider a $5.2 annual budget for the 2023 fiscal year. The spending plan was $78,355 less than the previous year, or a 2.2% decrease.

Spending since then has surged, with Norway’s budgets steadily increasing year over year, a $2.7 million cumulative total of more than 50%.

The budget presented at the annual town meeting June 15 is $7.9 million.

The meeting takes place at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School’s Forum on Monday night starting at 7 p.m.

In 2022, former Town Manager Dennis Lajoie attributed that year’s lower municipal expenses to the retirement of seven municipal leaders, some with decades of tenure. That year Lajoie would retire along with the fire and police chiefs; the highway department’s foreman and lead mechanic; town clerk; and parks and recreation director.

The next year, in 2023, the annual budget was $5.7 million, 8% more than in 2022.

In 2024, Norway’s budget jumped 17%, to $6.6 million.

Last year municipal spending was $7.1 million, an increase of 8%.

This year voters will be presented with a $7.9 million budget at town meeting, or 11% higher than the current fiscal year.

Operating expenses in several departments will jump by double digit percentage points in 2027.

Costs for the recently renovated municipal complex will be $83,310, 10% more than last year.

The police department’s budget is increasing by 11.2%, from $1.46 to $1.62 million.

Capital projects are up by 15%, to $375,000. Capital reserves is increasing 51%, to $445,500. Community development expenses will more than double, from $27,225 to $59,725.

Debt service, which covers previously approved purchases, is budgeted for 585,875, a 21% increase.

The Parks & Recreation’s budget is $41,571 more than this year, up 22%.

The budget for Norway Memorial Library is budgeted for $506,733, up by $79,124 (or 18.5%) from the current year. Next year’s library salaries account for $291,000, an expense that has increased by 54% since 2024.

Overall, library expenses have risen by 35% since the 2024-25 fiscal year.

General Assistance will see a 53% increase from 2025-26, having been cut by $8,000 after 2024-25. This year assistance for at-risk residents is set at $33,734.

Since Lajoie’s retirement, Norway has employed two interim town managers — Brad Plant in 2023 and Police Chief Jeffrey Campbell for the past two years — and another in between, Jeffrey Wilson, who was only on the job a few months in 2024 before he was appointed to become a Maine district court judge.

A new permanent town manager, Jill Lathan, was recently hired by the select board. She came on board in April, after the 2026-27 budget had been completed.

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