Though the Library Trustees are requesting about $5,000 less in town appropriations than last year, a large bequest will allow them to make technology improvements to the building.
Library Trustee Molly Shanklin presented the library’s proposed budget to the town’s Budget Committee during its meeting on Thursday night, along with several other department representatives outlining their proposed budgets. The Budget Committee did not have a quorum on Thursday, and so did not make any decisions, but did accept information from departments. Budgets presented by department heads are subject to adjustment by the Budget Committee, which will craft the final budget.
The library will be using a $30,000 bequest to upgrade the library’s server and computers. The library also included in its budget funds for the completion of renovations of its children’s area, after fixing drainage issues that caused flooding there this year. The library also set aside a contribution toward a replacement of the library roof. Shanklin told the board the Trustees intend to ask for funds in a warrant article.
The Main Street Association is requesting $8,350 from the town this year. Last year, the Budget Committee brought the MSA’s budget request down to $1, which was then raised to $2,500 by voters at Town Meeting.
Main Street Association member Alison Meltzer told the board that the MSA plans to continue its four big seasonal events and to finish the design of the Main Street park, which includes building a trellis structure.
Public Works Director Steve Elliott met with the committee concerning several budgets, including the Highway Department, road resurfacing, the Recycling Center, Parks and Recreation and cemeteries.
The Highway Department budget is proposed to rise about 4 percent, mostly in increases in salary and wages, Elliott said. The budget in 2016 was $469,887, and Elliott was proposing a budget of $516,895.
Budget Committee Vice Chair Harry Dailey brought up a concern about the town’s pay raise scale, telling Elliott that the Budget Committee has asked that the Select Board review the formula and decrease the raise increase percentage by .5, saying that otherwise the salaries would become unsustainable.
The Water Works budget – which is covered by ratepayers and not tax money – is up about 3.10 percent, from $270,584 to $262,403. The budget proposal includes an equipment lease for $7,500 for a new vehicle for the water superintendent, and an increase in the budget for water meters to allow for a quicker replacement cycle.
The proposed road resurfacing budget is down about $34,500, from $384,500 to $350,000. Elliott told the board that most of the longest roads in town have recently been redone, and he has been able to redo the road improvement plan to stretch it out over a few additional years.
The cemetery budget is up only slightly, from $34,048 to $36,395, due to a few additional pines that will be cut down this year.
The Budget Committee will hold its next meeting at 7 p.m. on Dec. 22.