Budget hearings top agenda in Pittsfield Police cruiser, paving, library on funding list

PITTSFIELD – Adoption of the $1.8 million capital and $2.45 million operating budgets for 2006 top the Town Council’s agenda for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20.

The capital budget includes such items as purchase of a new police cruiser, $92,000 in paving, and funneling $1.3 million in grants and donations to the Pittsfield Public Library.

All funds pledged to the library renovation and expansion campaign must be formally accepted by the Town Council.

The capital budget also includes $15,000 toward a new public swimming pool, money that was removed from the library elevator account. This issue is expected to spark a bit of discussion Tuesday night as library trustees have stated the elevator is key to their $1.3 million renovation slated to begin next fall.

The 2006 budget reflects 2 percent raises for town employees, no changes in employee numbers and no new charges for services. The budget represents a small 0.03 percent increase on the mill rate, according to Town Manager Kathryn Ruth. The mill rate is $24.40 per $1,000 of valuation.

New business at Tuesday’s meeting includes voting on:

. Appointment of Stephen Seekins of Hartland as code enforcement officer for six months.

. Appointment of Charles Porter as CEO alternate, William Murphy as plumbing inspector alternate and Luke Goodblood as sealer of weights and measures.

. Filling 20 positions on various town boards and committees, including three seats on the planning board, two seats on the board of appeals, two openings on the recycling committee and two openings each on the theater and pool committees.