Eddington budget vote at annual town meeting

EDDINGTON – Residents will be asked whether they want to construct an addition to the municipal building, at a cost of approximately $950,000, at the annual town meeting later this month.

The proposed construction is just one of 22 items that residents will consider, eight of which deal with the 2006-07 budget.

“Article 21[the construction] is the one that will cause discussion,” Chairwoman Joan Brooks said during Wednesday’s special selectmen’s meeting.

The idea is a good one, but the expected cost is a concern, Selectman Charles Baker Jr. said.

“You’re flying in just under a million dollars with this one,” he said. “That’s a huge number to digest.”

Town leaders have been discussing expanding the municipal building for years to add room for the fire department and a conference room for meetings.

“It’s an estimate,” Town Manager Russell Smith said about the costs. “Building materials have skyrocketed” since the project was first brought to the table.

During the town meeting, scheduled for March 28, residents will vote on the $829,055 proposed budget for fiscal year 2006-07.

The town budget includes $20,160 for general government; $243,752 for administrative salaries and expenses; $168,800 for highways; $229,756 for protection; $128,087 for human services; $6,000 for the capital improvement account; and $32,500 for town revaluation.

Office salaries account for $12,714 of the increase and health insurance adds another $5,087. Additionally, the preliminary budget calls for Smith to receive a $3,060 raise, along with a $5,000 increase for law enforcement provided by Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department; $4,500 more for fire department salaries; $2,189 for code enforcement; $2,092 for trash collection and $2,000 more for winter maintenance.

“We’re getting another $75,000 in [projected] new tax revenues and $13,000 in revenue sharing,” said Smith.

He added, however, that the preliminary budget does not include the Penobscot County tax or the SAD 63 budget amount, which are needed before the final overall budget is determined in June.

Residents will also consider whether the town should be allowed to sell or dispose of real estate acquired by the town through nonpayment of taxes; if $15,000 should be moved from the fire department reserve account to purchase an all-terrain vehicle; and if the town should be allowed to enter into three-year contracts.

The next selectmen’s meeting is 6 p.m. March 22 and the annual town meeting is 7 p.m. March 28 at the Eddington Elementary School.