Hartland to discuss budget on Saturday

HARTLAND – A decrease in the town’s annual budget, combined with the revaluation of some new development on Great Moose Lake, will likely result in a lower mill rate this year for Hartland residents.

Voters will gather at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 4, at town hall for the annual town meeting. Elections will be held a day earlier from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, March 3. Selectmen Harlow Powers and Harry Gould are seeking re-election while Judy Alton and Greg Tasker are vying for the second selectman’s seat vacated when Steven Hersey moved from town.

Town Manager Peggy Morgan said Tuesday that the 2005 budget was $901,078, which included a one-time expense of a $40,000 roof for the Corinna Union Academy building. This year’s budget is proposed at $888,828, even though several new items and a part-time position were added.

New for 2006 is $10,000 for a comprehensive plan and $25,000 for assessing, two projects that go hand in hand, Morgan said.

“There are some Taj Mahals being built on our waterfront,” she said, adding that although they are trained using state specification, the town’s selectmen are not prepared for such major development. “It’s a unique situation.

“Last year, we increase our waterfront properties by 25 percent, our commercial properties by 15 percent and our homes by 10 percent, seeking a degree of equity,” Morgan said.

By having a professional look at these luxury homes on the lake, Hartland should capture tax revenue, which will offset the expenses.

Morgan said a paid, part-time recreation director is also being proposed at $3,000.

“This will be geared towards providing the middle school-age kids with summer programs,” she said.

Morgan said other accounts, such as the transfer station – up by $4,000 – increased in the proposed budget while revenues are predicted to be stable.

“Our mill rate in 2005 was $18 [per $1,000 valuation], and we’re hoping that will slide down a little,” she said.