Warren: Town weighs change for fire chief

Townspeople will gather March 28 to vote on a $1,793,692 annual budget and consider making the fire chief’s position full time.

Two three-year selectmen seats are up for grabs this year and both are contested.

Incumbent Arnold D. Hill, a self-employed plumber and longtime selectman, will compete with Christine Wakely, who works for SAD 40 and is a member of the planning board. Incumbent Rick Parent, who works for the state Department of Transportation and is a veteran selectman, will vie with Wayne Luce, a commercial trash hauler.

Incumbent SAD 40 director Nancy Watson will run unopposed for a three-year term.

At town meeting, taxpayers will decide whether to make the fire chief’s job full time, which would include other duties unrelated to the title.

The fire chief is paid a stipend of $4,250, plus minimum wage for “runs,” Town Manager Grant Watmough explained Friday.

Under the proposed position, the fire chief would be paid $600 salary per week or $31,200 annually based on a 40-hour week. Three days would be spent working at the fire station and the remainder of time would be mowing town-owned properties, except for cemeteries. In winter, the chief would help out public works. If approved, the stipend would be eliminated and the “run” pay would only apply for hours worked outside the regular workweek.

The municipal budget proposed is $1,793,692, which is an increase of 7 percent over last year. Because the increase exceeds the 4.14 percent cap allowed under the new LD 1 law, voters will also consider an article to approve the higher budget hike.

The amount to be raised by property taxes is $474,851, which is a 10 percent increase over last year.

Knox County and SAD 40 assessments are not yet available, Watmough said, noting the county bill, including a dispatching fee, is expected to increase $6,000. Last year’s county tax was $212,351; SAD 40, $2,376,672.

Watmough expects the property tax rate to climb at least 1 mill because of the anticipated change in the SAD 40 cost-sharing formula. A bill before the Legislature would revert the formula to a 50-50 mix based on student enrollment and state valuation rather than 100 percent state valuation. The current tax rate is $15.40 per $1,000 of assessed value.

In 2007-2008, Watmough figures the tax rate could increase by 4 mills given the 50-50 formula change.

The amount of revenue being used to reduce taxes is $986,866, plus $230,000 from surplus and $101,975 from homestead exemptions.

The town manager’s salary is slated to increase 6 percent to $49,600.

An across-the-board 6 percent pay raise is figured into the budget for all employees.

Voters will be asked to approve a measure that would create “drug-safe zones” around town in places such as parks and day care centers, Watmough said, “anywhere where children play.”

Elections take place 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, March 27, at the town office. Town meeting begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, at the Masonic Hall on Route 90.

Friendship: Agenda includes land issues

Voters will consider two articles related to land development when they gather March 21 for the annual town meeting.

Taxpayers will be asked to spend $30,000 to finish expanding Harbor Cemetery. That cost, however, will be repaid through lot sales, Town Clerk Joel Fearn said.

Another article seeks $10,000 to pay for surveying, engineering and legal fees related to the development of a town-owned field near Friendship Village School that would be used for baseball, softball and soccer.

The only selectman position open is a three-year seat held by Arthur “Bubba” Thompson, who is seeking re-election. He is unopposed.

SAD 40 has no director terms expiring this year.

Incumbents running unopposed for three-year terms are: Town Clerk Joel Fearn, Road Commissioner Kyle Martin and Assessor John Flood.

Fearn pointed out that some of the budget comparisons this year are askew because of an error SAD 40 made last year in its cost-sharing formula.

At town meeting, voters will consider a municipal budget of $655,352, which is up less than 1 percent. The amount to be raised by property taxes is $455,352. The amount of revenue used to reduce taxes is $200,000.

The town’s share of Knox County taxes is estimated to be $220,395, which would be a 13.4 percent increase and includes dispatching fees. SAD 40’s budget has not been determined. Last year’s school assessment was $1,597,885.

Voters will also decide on increasing the town clerk’s wages to $30,000 for an annual salary from $25,480 for a 35-hour work week. The reason for the increase is added responsibilities, including new Friday office hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and motor vehicle registrations being done at the town office.

Town meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, at the Hahn Community Center. Voting will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, March 20, at the same location.

Searsport: Incumbent, newcomer win seats

Selectman Joe Perry was re-elected to a third three-year term Tuesday, and newcomer Aaron Fethke also won election to the board over three other candidates.

Perry landed 213 votes, and Fethke garnered 181 votes.

Fethke, an attorney who practices in Bangor, grew up in Searsport and recently returned with his family. He has served on several town committees.

Incumbent Selectman Granville Gross received 61 votes. Bruce Mills, who had served many terms on the board over the last three decades, received 148 votes. James Cunningham, who ran unsuccessfully last year, received 126 votes.

The annual town meeting gets under way at 9 a.m. today at Searsport District Middle School.

Among the key issues to be decided at the meeting are changes proposed to the comprehensive plan and land use ordinance.