DIXFIELD — Selectmen unveiled the budget development calendar for fiscal year 2011-12 and elected a new chairman and vice chairman Monday night.

Town Manager Eugene Skibitsky said the board will begin budget deliberations on March 21, then meet every other Monday. The town needs five new Finance Committee members to give input for a 2011-12 budget, as well.

With the recent resignation of the committee’s chairman, David Harvey, only six members remain. Residents interested in serving are asked to contact the town office at 562-8151 as soon as possible. The committee will likely meet every other week during March and April.

Skibitksy declined to speculate on whether the current $1.8 million operating budget will rise or remain about the same. He said he expects fewer revenue dollars from the state and higher health insurance costs.

“We’ll try to keep it the same,” he said.

The annual town meeting was set for 6 p.m. May 26 at Dirigo High School.

Anne Simmons-Edmunds, a reserve Dixfield Police Department officer, was hired as a full-time patrolman to replace David Hodgson who has taken a position with the Rumford Police Department. She is also an animal control officer, a Byron selectman, and a former SAD 43 board member.

Her full-time duties will begin Feb. 7.

The board unanimously elected former Vice Chairman Steve Donahue as chairman. Selectman Norine Clarke was unanimously elected vice chairman. Donahue replaces Bettina Martin, who died earlier this month.

In other matters:

* Work is expected to begin on the replacement of the Webb River Bridge during the third week of March. Skibitsky said a preconstruction meeting will take place at the end of February. The $2.8 million cost will be paid by the state.

* The board voted to allow former owners of tax-acquired property to buy back their land and/or buildings, provided all back taxes and sewer and water liens are paid. Skibitsky said the town currently has eight tax-acquired properties.

* Action on Skibitsky’s town manager contract was delayed until the Feb. 14 board meeting.

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