The Edgecomb selectmen and budget committee have the same goal. Both want to reduce municipal spending and have sent letters to department heads requesting they rein in their budget proposals for the next fiscal year.

The selectmen have requested a five percent reduction. While the budget committee, in its letter, wants department heads to  “come prepared to present your budget keeping in mind that the town will be looking to trim the budgets of all organizations and departments for the fiscal year ahead.”

The selectmen and budget committee member Jack Brennan briefly discussed their mutual budgetary goals during the Jan. 30 select board meeting. During the past two town meetings, voters have approved the municipal budgets without major opposition. Last year, residents approved a $3,871,156 combined municipal and school budget, which represented a four percent spending increase. Town officials believe increased spending has been a trend for the past six years and they want to reduce property owners’ tax burden and begin rebuilding a capital reserve account.

The selectmen agreed reducing municipal spending by five percent is an aggressive goal, but an equally important one, as well.

“That’s our intention,” Selectman Mike Smith said. “We at least want department heads to work through the process to see what reductions can be achieved.”

Despite little opposition in recent budget votes, Selectman Ted Hugger said town officials heard concerns from several residents following last year’s town meeting. “After the tax bills went out we heard it from the taxpayers,” he said.

The school department comprises over two-thirds of the town’s spending each year. Brennan praised school officials for maintaining a stable budget in recent years. He blamed higher education spending on the state and its mandate for local school departments to finance special education students. Last year, voters approved a $2,664,336 school budget which was a 4.7 percent increase. Voters approved a $441,465 special education budget which was an increase of $117,632.

“The school has done a good job in keeping spending down. The problem is special education, which is the reason for 94 percent of last year’s increase in school spending,” Brennan said.

The selectmen also met with auditor Fred Brewer of the William Brewer & Co. in Bath. Brewer is in the process of completing the fiscal year 2016 audit. He consulted with selectmen about designating unspent funds as either surplus or carry-over. Brewer’s calculation determined the fiscal year ended with a $155,863 surplus.

Brewer expected to complete the audit in the next  seven to 10 days.

In other action, selectmen approved a $1,221.92 tax abatement for John and Misty Pray. Town Treasurer Claudia Coffin explained the adjustment reflected the property’s current grade and condition, according to the tax assessor’s review. The selectmen also approved an abatement for Erincredible, LLC. The assessor adjusted the tax bill to show the correct amount of acreage, according to Coffin. The company received a $198.20 abatement.

The board also approved a supplement to John Conley’s and Darleen MacKinnon’s property tax assessment. Coffin told selectmen the property was either omitted or improperly assessed during the tax commitment last July. The couple will be sent a bill for $827.50.

The selectmen will meet next at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 13 in the municipal building.

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