Beaver Cove to vote on proposed budget

BEAVER COVE – A $510,630 proposed budget will need voter attention tonight at the annual town meeting.

Of the $63,000 proposed increase, only $7,300 is for municipal operations. The increase is being driven by school costs, road work, road contracts and general services, Selectman Wally Williams said Thursday.

“Most of our costs are uncontrolled costs where the board has no negotiating powers,” Williams said. That includes the cost of county government, schools and the Land Use Regulation Commission, which acts as the town’s planning and appeals board. These costs are based on state valuation, which increased from $53.9 million last year to $68.7 million this year, he said.

The budget will require a vote by residents to increase the property tax levy limit by $35,909, Williams said.

Since Williams is retiring from the board after nine years of service, residents will need to elect his replacement and another for the one-year term left by the resignation of Fran Emmons. There also is a three-year vacancy on the Union 60 board.

The Beaver Cove town meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, May 18, in the Beaver Cove town office.