Edgecomb’s budget committee on April 1 presented a $4.1 million proposed commitment for the 2019-20 budget to selectmen and residents.

Chair Jack Brennan, committee members and department heads took the public through proposed spending totaling $4.7 million before offsets brought the total proposed commitment to $4.1 million, an increase of 15.76 percent or $559,000 over the 2018-19 commitment.

The committee spent four months in what Brennan described as a collaborative effort. “The proposed number came out of our deliberations as a committee.” Brennan said everyone got the opportunity to address the fiscal future.

Of the six categories, highways and bridges was significantly higher than the previous year, with an increase of 33 percent. Much of this was due to an anticipated $150,000 paving cost which Road Commissioner Scott Griffin explained was for portions of Cross Point Road.  “It has been 13 years since work was done on it, and the deterioration is accelerating there,” Griffin said.

Of the total requested, $100,000 would be raised and $50,000 would be from funds remaining from a previous road improvement project.   Work will include addressing drainage issues and frost heaves and roadside ditches. If approved as proposed, the amount for highways and bridges would be 15 percent of the town’s total budget.

Education represents 67.5 percent of the total commitment. The $3.18 million proposed  budget is offset by approximately $500,000, bringing it to $2.678 million. 

Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 Superintendent Keith Laser, Edgecomb Eddy School Principal Ira Michaud and School Committee Chairman Tom Abello explained that the lion’s share of the 7.9 percent increase over 2018 is from tuition and programs for grades 7-12, increases in special education and the need to buy a new bus.

Brennan congratulated the school for its good work in increasing the number of students from 59 three years ago to 100 on April 3, and growing the surplus.

Both the categories of general government and public safety show a 3.5 percent increase over 2018-19. Selectman Mike Smith explained that part of the increase was for salaries for Edgecomb’s harbormaster and code enforcement officer and the addition of the town’s EMA director to the category. Offsetting this was a reduction in the secretary’s salary.

Fire Chief Roy Potter explained the public safety budget.  A $13,000 increase over the previous year was due to the loan for the new fire truck. Potter also explained that employees of the fire department are currently paid $10 per hour when they are on call. The request was made to increase this to $15 per hour; the budget committee has proposed $13.50 per hour for the next fiscal year.

The “other” category included building maintenance, general assistance, libraries, social service agencies and signage, which showed only a marginal increase after offsets of 0.4%.

“We are asking a lot from taxpayer dollars,” Brennan said, citing the Rolling Stones song “You can’t always get what you want.”

EMA Director Bill Witzell asked about a list of items the fire department needed. The town is seeking clarification through its attorney about funding options.

The budget will now be reviewed by the selectmen and after approval will be placed on the warrant.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 9 at the town office.