The Town Council reviewed the proposed budget for fiscal year 2023-24 and made the following changes before voting on the final budget:
- Voted 7-0 to remove $145,00 from the Capital Part II budget and set funds aside for use by the School Department.
- Voted 1-6 to remove $70,000 from the budget for the refurbishment of the Central Fire Station floors.
- Voted 7-0 to amend the order to add two firefighters/paramedics to the budget but wait to hire them until 1/1/24. (Savings of $64,927)
- Voted 5-2 (Phillips, Gagnon) to add $7,750 for a stipend for Planning Board members with $1500 to the Chair and $1250 to the Vice Chair, and $1000 to each remaining member.
- Voted 7-0 to increase the Conservation Commission budget from $3,000 to $4,000. Voted 7-0 to increase the Health Council budget from $600 to $1,000.
- Voted 7-0 to add a line to the Health and Welfare budget for $1000 for the Food Pantry.
The Council voted to adopt the budget as follows:
- General Government: $2,493,129
- Public Safety: $5,781,896
- Public Works, etc.: $3,616,752
- Health and Welfare: $102,000
- Rec, Comm. Center, Cable: $741,192
- Libraries & Museum: $590,602
- Development: $263,756
- Debt and interest: $1,734,950
- Capital items: $515,000
- Insurance/employee benefits: $4,161,203
- Other town services, uncl.: $302,572
- Subtotal: $29,304,052
- Cumberland County property tax: $1,543,224
- Total: $21,847,276
- Non-property tax revenues: $10,559,759
- Total capital budget: $4,330,765