EDDINGTON – At the annual town meeting in March, residents will be asked to approve an increase to all of the town’s departments, except for highways, that amounts to $22,286 or nearly a 3 percent increase to the budget.

The 3 percent increase does not include the Penobscot County tax or the SAD 63 school budget, Town Manager Russell Smith said.

“The county figure is going up $12,419 from last year,” he said. “That’s 11.88 percent or [nearly a] 12 percent increase.”

By adding in the county figure, the total increase for the town and county is projected at $34,805 or 4 percent more than this year.

The final school budget figures, which account for more than half of the town’s annual costs, will not be available until June.

“I think everybody’s done a good job with the budget,” Councilor Donn Goodwin said.

The proposed budget for fiscal year 2005-2006 is $789,350. This amount includes $19,570 for general government; $218,041 for administrative salaries and expenses; $166,800 for highways; $224,505 for protection; $121,934 for human services; $6,000 for the capital improvement account; and $32,500 for town revaluation.

Office salaries account for $12,700 of the increase. Additionally, the preliminary budget calls for Smith to receive a $3,391 raise, along with increases for the auditor ($2,250), trash collector ($2,689) and recycling program ($2,842).

There is also a $5,151 jump in cost for hydrant use through the Brewer Water Department, and $2,300 more under the fire department equipment line.

The annual town meeting is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, at Eddington School gymnasium, 440 Main Road.

At the meeting, residents also will decide whether to approve amending the yard sale ordinance and if Eddington should spend $32,500 to revaluate the community.

The town voted last year to do a revaluation, but because costs were not established had to bring the issue back again this year.

Selectmen approved Hamlin Associates to do the job, with the $65,000 cost being split over two years, contingent on resident approval.

The town now is assessed at 71 percent and needs to be between 90 and 100 percent to qualify for several state-funded programs.

Residents also will be asked if they are interested in allowing restaurants to serve alcohol in town and if $10,000 in Police Department reserve funds should be used annually to pay the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department for law enforcement coverage.

The town has been raising $10,000 a year to purchase a new police cruiser and so far has $40,370.

Now that the Sheriff’s Department handles law enforcement, selectmen would like to move $10,000 a year for four years from the reserve account to reduce protection costs.

Residents should not expect to receive the town report in the mail this year. To save costs, the board is trying a new approach to get the word out to residents about the annual meeting.

“We’re going to send out a flier that tells them that it will be available at the town office,” Smith said. “They can pick it up here, and if somebody can’t get it, we’ll get it to them or mail it.”

During the meeting, the board also approved a release deed to allow Ronald and Donna Holland to move a road on their property and heard that the planning board is holding a public hearing about two planned subdivisions on the Rooks Road and Riverside Drive.

The planning board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28.