STOCKTON SPRINGS – Residents at the annual town meeting slashed the highway budget by two-thirds in order to avoid a budget increase greater than allowed by state law.

For the 76 residents attending Saturday’s town meeting at the Stockton Springs Elementary School, the prospect of keeping next year’s budget in line was more desirable than newly paved roads. To do so, they reduced the recommended highway capital improvements budget from $300,000 to $120,000.

When residents voted 54-22 not to exceed the 3.24 percent maximum budget increase allowed under LD 1, they forced the Board of Selectmen to adjust the highway improvements budget accordingly.

“Most people live under a budget,” self-described “local agitator” Ralph Hall said. “It’s not easy and it’s getting harder.”

When one resident suggested that the town consider taking the road paving money from the town’s $1 million surplus account, Town Manager Joe Hayes said it would be better to apply that money as needed to cover the cost of the town’s day-to-day operating costs and not risk having to borrow in anticipation of taxes. As it was, Hayes pointed out, the other spending articles on the warrant would require using $240,000 of the fund balance.

Hall recalled that the town got in serious financial difficulties when it tapped into its surplus in the past and urged that the balance be protected.

“This town spent its fund balance down at one time and nearly went into bankruptcy,” he said. “I don’t want to see that happen again.”

The loss of $180,000 meant that the town would forgo its plans to pave Church Street and the west side of Cape Jellison Road. Hayes said it was uncertain what the extent of this year’s paving program would be.

“Paving is a product of oil, paving has become very expensive and it almost changes daily, just like it does with your car,” he said.

Hayes raised the same point when the discussion turned to appropriating funds for general assistance. The selectmen recommended raising the budget from the $2,500 spent last year to $5,100 this year. With the cost of oil so unpredictable, Hayes said, it likely would result in additional claims for assistance.

“I am very concerned about the budget for next year with what is going on for fuel,” he said. “I’m very concerned about heating. The price does concern me; the upcoming season does concern me.”

Increases in fuel prices already were built into the budgets of the town’s departments, but to be on the safe side voters approved setting aside an additional $5,000 in a contingency account in the event the cost of operating the town’s vehicles exceeds their budgeted allotment.

Voters also approved an article to spend up to $27,500 to upgrade the town’s municipal accounting system by purchasing a new computer program that would eliminate the need to hire a part-time data entry clerk and save the clerk’s $9,200 annual salary.

Residents approved an occupancy permit and home occupation ordinance designed to ensure new construction is up to code and to control the type of businesses allowed in the home. They also agreed to amend the shellfish ordinance to permit the issuance of a 72-hour clam-digging license for summer visitors. The coastal waters and harbor ordinance was amended to give residents preference for dinghy storage or tie-up, and a new ordinance regulating the location and size of wireless communications towers also passed muster.

wgriffin@bangordailynews.net

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