Edgecomb selectmen were pleased to report low increases in the proposed municipal and school budgets for 2025-26. Selectmen on March 18 reviewed warrant language for the municipal town meeting referendum and school budget hearing articles.

Selectmen said the overall proposed tax assessment is up 3.01%. The school portion is up $84,750 or 2.74%. The municipal assessment is up 1.57% or $23,193. County tax assessment is the biggest assessment increase at 10.89%, according to town officials. "I'm very happy to see only a 3% increase after last year," Selectman Michael Maxim said. "Last year was a little flukey with a year of catch-up on spending."

During the public forum, Citizens Tax Group member Dr. Kathryn Rohr reported new findings about the school budget. The group is questioning a proposed purchase of a new van for transporting a special needs student. The proposed school budget calls for purchasing a new van and hiring a driver to transport a special needs student to a different school to participate in a specialized program. Rohr told selectmen, Maine Department of Education's website cautions school districts about non-school bus student transportation policy. "If you transport students in something other than a bus, the DOE says the vehicle may not be insurable. So I think this is something that should be brought to the attention of the school board," she said.

The group also has concerns about elementary school tuition revenues. The group has researched past budgets over a four-year period and asserts the tuition revenues have been underestimated. Rohr said the underestimation has resulted in a much larger school surplus than is being reported. "The state would impose penalties if the school committee were not using the proper amount of surplus to offset local taxes," Rohr said. "The school should have a pretty good idea from their bank accounts about the amount of surplus even without an audit."

Maxim thanked Rohr for bringing this information forward and encouraged her to share. Rohr told selectmen she would convey her information to the school committee.

Selectmen entered into an executive session with Fire Chief Roy Potter. No action was taken following the session. When the board re-entered public session, selectmen accepted Gudroe Technologies' proposal for changing their phone system. The board also discussed drafting language for a policy change. Selectmen are working on establishing a consistent date and time for paying employees. Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 1 in the conference room.