Proposed 2006 Monson budget cuts spending

MONSON – Despite rising costs of electricity, fuel and other supplies, municipal officials have proposed less in expenditures for 2006.

In what he called a delicate balancing act, Monson Town Manager Robert Nicholson said every expenditure was scrutinized during budget deliberations. Changes also were made in the budget presentation to give residents a better idea of expenses.

“We definitely looked at every line item to see if we could reduce costs, and overall we feel this budget is a very efficient budget,” Nicholson said Monday. “It meets all our needs of the previous year.”

Being new in the town manager’s position, Nicholson said he enlisted the aid of the budget committee upfront.

Three meetings were held with the committee to review municipal costs, and a budget was developed. That budget was approved last week by selectmen.

Nicholson said the proposed budget will get another review from the budget committee at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at the municipal building, before it is presented to residents at the annual town meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, March 20, at the Monson Elementary School.

The total appropriations requested for 2006 are $276,507. In comparison, residents raised $279,852 last year.

In addition to paring the budget where possible, town officials are anticipating about $1,800 more in revenues. Some of that revenue is from interest that resulted from changes made in banking practices, according to Nicholson.

The town also will contribute about $10,000 less for the operation of Piscataquis County in 2006, an unusual occurrence and one not expected to continue, he said.

To get a better interest rate, town officials are requesting $32,000 for the first payment on the sand and salt shed note. Nicholson said selectmen had planned on a long-term note but have found that a six-year loan will save the town about $4,300 a year in interest. The town would be required to pay $32,000 in each of the first five years and $15,000 the last year, he said.

One cost that will not be raised through taxes is the remaining $25,000 for the full property revaluation that was completed by Hamlin Associates.

Selectmen agreed last week to pay the bill with proceeds from the sale of tax-acquired property. The town already had paid $11,000 of the revaluation costs. In addition to the revaluation, the town had all of its tax maps computerized.

The proposed 2006 budget includes $3,500 for the purchase of an industrial-quality lawn mower and $3,000 for vinyl siding to complete the gymnasium upgrade. The siding will be applied by Charleston Correctional Facility inmates.

Nicholson said residents will need to start planning for a change in winter road maintenance next year. The town’s contractor, Leary Soil Works, informed town officials it will no longer offer the service at year end 2006.

Nicholson said town officials will research all of their options, from the town delivering the service to finding another contractor.