As municipal officials begin Fiscal Year 25 budget discussions, Edgecomb Selectman Mike Smith is hoping participants make an “unofficial” New Year’s resolution. Smith wants to promote a more positive and productive budget season with the local school committee. On Dec. 27, selectmen met with the budget committee to set workshop and meeting schedules. Smith expressed his expectations prior to discussing specific budgetary goals for the new year.

In recent years, discussions between municipal leaders and the school committee have been, at times, more combative than productive. Smith is hoping this year will be different. “I felt last year’s budget process was just a struggle. It could’ve been the dynamics of the board, but I’m hoping to promote a more positive conversation, and I’ll be more straightforward with the school committee,” he said. “It was just unbearable at times. I don’t understand the lack of discussion about representing the taxpayer coming from the school. (Their) responsibility is to the taxpayers and residents. Sometimes, it doesn’t seem part of the conversation.”

This year, Smith hopes the public will take a more active role in questioning school budget proposals. Last spring, the selectboard consisted of Smith and former Selectman Ted Hugger who both led questioning on school committee spending proposals. “I’d like to have a little less controversy and lot more congeniality. Being in the forefront of criticism sometimes you stand alone. I’m not going to tolerate standing alone,” he said.  “If people are uncomfortable with the school budget, they will need to step forward, and vote.”

Mike Maxim and Lyn Norgang are first-term selectmen joining Smith on the board. Norgang was absent, but Maxim indicated he’s looking forward to budget discussions. “I’m looking forward to how this all plays out,” he said. “There is a struggle on both sides and I’m hoping to help get everybody on the same page. This is a good time for that to happen, and I think compromise is needed in a few places.”

Smith responded that the selectboard supports a budget which continues providing a quality education. “I want to make this clear. There is no intention in compromising the education of our students. There’s a tradition of providing a great education, and these students go on to achieve great things. We want that to continue.”

In other action, selectmen set goals for other FY 25 budget items. Selectmen want to address pay discrepancy for their municipal staff. Town employees work part-time and receive no benefits. Selectmen support a pay raise to bring their municipal staff on par with neighboring towns. Smith also expects an article proposing town hall renovations. “The building committee is considering proposing building an addition and moving the offices out of here,” he said. 

Selectmen are also considering inviting Maine Department of Transportation officials to a meeting to discuss the Route 27 project slated for next spring. 

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9 in the conference room.