Wiscasset selectmen and the budget committee debated Monday whether or not to have both an annual budget and a second, five-year or longer capital budget plan that would include departments’ long-term needs. Currently, the annual budget has a line item for immediate capital requests, financed through the margins of the town’s finance accounts, and which amount to $400,000 to $500,000 per year. Often, some of that goes to offset property tax hikes.

However, the budget committee pointed out, some expenditures are well above the capital allotments. For example, the 1989 Rescue 1 ladder truck was recently towed back to the fire station with serious mechanical issues. A new fire truck could cost up to $750,000. The budget committee said the funds to replace the 1989 truck should have been set aside over the last 30 years. The committee also said many of the items that are funded with capital funds are not really capital items, but rather, basic maintenance that should be planned for as part of the annual budget. Examples were the paving budget and community center roof.

Chair Judy Colby agreed with a five-year capital budget plan, but said she did not think one could be done in time for the June warrant’s printing. “It’s something we need to discuss.” She said that right now, the town is still playing catch up on issues postponed for years. Town Manager John O’Connell said the paving and the roof were included in the capital budget due to the high cost, but he agreed they didn’t belong there.

Kim Dolce of the budget committee requested the warrant show how much each article would increase property taxes. Colby said the town had requested guidance from Maine Municipal Association about that and was told it was not legal to do so.

The combined budget committee and select board will debate the budget over the next couple of weeks. O’Connell said budget meetings would occur Mondays and Thursdays at 5 p.m., until the process is complete. Feb. 6 topics will include administration, airport, animal control, assessing, boards and committees, celebrations, cemeteries, town clerk, code enforcement, Wiscasset Public Library, community organizations, contingency, contractual services, county tax, debt service and elections. Feb. 10, the largest cost drivers, EMS, Parks and Recreation, Police, and Wastewater Treatment, will be considered.