Dexter Town Council adopts $4.9M budget after two changes

DEXTER – A $4.9 million budget was approved by the Town Council on Thursday after two last-minute changes.

The municipal budget of $4,915,489, which includes school and county costs, reflects a decrease in appropriations of $38,270 from the current year. The budget will be offset by $1,655,961 in anticipated revenues, which reflects a decrease from the current year of $210,424.

“The council did a great job, and department heads, in keeping expenses down,” Town Manager Judy Doore said Thursday.

Doore said the budget is under the tax levy cap of LD 1 but not by much. However, if the revaluation now under way produces a lower than estimated result, the council may have to cut further or adjust accordingly, she said. According to an estimate computed by the tax assessor, the mill rate is expected to be less than $17 per $1,000 property valuation, Doore said.

As required, a public hearing was held on a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant that Dexter jointly received with Dover-Foxcroft, Newport, Enfield, Howland and Mattawamkeag. Doore said 18 projects consisting of failing well and septic systems have been identified in the communities as follows: Dexter 5; Dover-Foxcroft, 3; Enfield, 3; Howland, 1; Mattawamkeag, 2; and Newport, 4. These projects are in varying stages of development. Doore said more funds are available to help other homeowners with faulty systems and she encouraged people to apply.

Some concerns were expressed to the council about closing Main Street on Aug. 1 and 2 for Wild West Weekend. Officials from Renys, Country Charm and the Cafe said they felt the road should not be shut down all day. The daylong closure was proposed to ensure the safety of pedestrians in the downtown, officials were told. Two of the businesspeople suggested that in future years, the committee look for an area outside of the business district for the popular event. Based on the concerns, the council voted to reduce the closure of Main Street from 1 to 9 p.m. Friday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday.

In other business, the Town Council:

. Learned the level of Lake Wassookeag was 433.7 feet. The lake and dam management plan for this time of year calls for 433 to 433.5 feet.

. Were advised the revaluation of the town should be finished in about a month and notices of values and estimated taxes will be mailed to residents at the conclusion. Informal hearings will be held with residents to discuss the values.

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