Selectmen Take First Look at $9.5 Million Budget Proposal

Wednesday night Chief Administrative Officer Robert Skinner presented a proposed 2012-2013 Board of Selectmen’s Budget of $9.5 million, up 3.2 percent from the 2011-2012 budget of $9.2 million.

Of that, the operations proposal for $8.6 million is 1.4 percent higher than current spending package, while capital improvements is proposed at $881,750, a 21.4-percent increase in that area.  

“By far what’s driving the increase is the capital improvement plan,” Skinner said. While the town is hoping the Board of Finance will back the idea of bringing a potential bonding packing to voters in November, the town needs a greater commitment to capital projects overall, he said.

Proposed capital funding includes $450,000 for pavement management (road work and maintenance) $35,000 for public safety radio upgrades, $10,000 for Lawton Road site improvements, $170,000 for a new highway truck, $115,000 for new fire apparatus and more.

New proposed initiatives in the budget include additional hours for the administrative assistant to the senior and social services coordinator, a seasonal park’s employee, and a $5,300 GIS system.

While some revenue sources, such as transfer station fees may be down slightly, Skinner did not report any alarming trends and said state aid seems like it should remain steady.

Skinner’s proposal only represents a small part of the budget. Later this month, Superintendent Kevin Case will present his proposal to the Board of Education.

Next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, beginning at 6 p.m. each night, selectmen will begin an extensive review of Skinner’s proposal.

Superintendent Kevin D. Case is slated to present his initial schools plan on Feb. 21. 

Keep up with budget changes at the town’s Web site.