Veazie residents OK all warrant articles

VEAZIE – Residents approved all 19 articles on the town warrant at Tuesday night’s meeting, including the $3.2 million school budget and the $1.6 million municipal budget.

This year’s school budget increased by $194,546 over last year, while the municipal budget represents an approximate $100,000 decrease.

The warrant separates the municipal budget by department, and residents approved the recommended amounts for all divisions.

Council members and Town Manager Bill Reed previously have congratulated school officials for their diligent work at keeping the school budget relatively level, despite the fear that state aid would be decreased dramatically again this year.

Last year’s 16.52 percent decrease in state aid to education led to the elimination of two school positions and the postponement of some technology purchases and capital improvements to the school.

Town officials, concerned with the impact that the proposed Palesky tax cap may have on the community if it passes in November, worked hard to keep the budget stable. Similar to many community officials around the state, Veazie officials have stated previously that they are worried about the impact that the potential tax cap could have on the public services provided by the town.