Harrison residents showed strong support for the town’s 2027 budget, approving all 40 warrant articles during June 10’s annual town meeting.

The operating and capital reserve budget for the next fiscal year is $5.25 million, up about 3% from 2026. Ahead of the meeting, Town Manager John Bellino said the net increase for taxpayers comes to just under 2%.

The $640,591 administration budget approved by voters will increase by 4.4%. Salary increases for staff are largely offset by a reduction in the town manager’s pay. Legal fees and license/lease agreements have increased by a combined $18,000. 

Public safety saw the most significant increase, 14% from the current year. Harrison contracts two deputies from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. The cost for each officer will go from $136,935 each to $152,330, a combined jump of more than $31,000.

Another large increase is $23,000 for hydrant rental, due to water district rates rising by 75%. Voters approved the public safety budget of $502,743 by 61-11 votes.

Public works will increase by 7.2%, from $806,863 last year to $865,069. A new cost center for fleet maintenance, which includes vehicles from other departments, has been incorporated into the highway department, adding about $48,000 that was previously reported elsewhere in the budget.

In years past the fire department has been a hot-button topic, with some calling for it to be staffed while others have resisted. A 2024 study done by Municipal Resources Inc. of Plymouth, New Hampshire, recommended hiring a full-time chief and per diem firefighters, although the role of department chief continues to be a stipend position.

The fire department budget approved by voters was $192,454, a 6.2% drop from 2026. The savings was achieved by transferring $22,500 for vehicle maintenance to the public works budget. That shift helped offset about $10,000 in higher expenses for utilities, gear and supplies and training.

The recreation budget will drop by 4%, achieved mainly by reducing special programs, such as field trips, youth sports and scholarships by $3,500 and cutting back on overtime pay.

Culvert replacement at Carsley Brook and Edes Falls will be paid with $881,740 from capital reserves, with $500,000 to be reimbursed with grants secured from the Maine Department of Transportation and Lakes Environmental Association.

Voters also approved adding $30,000 more toward the purchase of a new fire truck, with other capital equipment appropriations remaining flat, and a debt service payment of $295,560 for the public works garage.

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