Voters have the opportunity to weigh in on the Greenville town budget proposal and warrant articles, which include security improvements and Town Hall repairs, at the town’s budget hearing on Wednesday.
The proposed budget this year is set at $2.6 million, a $201,000 increase from the current year’s budget of $2.4 million, or an increase of about 8.4 percent.
The town has proposed multiple additions to capital reserves and expendable trusts, all of which are anticipated to come from the current year’s unexpended fund balance, including $20,000 for the Green Bridge Improvement Fund, $10,000 for public works equipment, $10,000 for pool repairs, $25,000 for fire equipment and $5,000 for the police cruiser.
There is also a request to establish a new reserve fund for highway maintenance. The fund would be seeded with $30,000, also expected to come from this year’s unexpended funds.
The town is requesting $10,000 each for the water and wastewater funds, each of which would be raised by user fees and not taxation.
In purchases expected to be made in the coming year, the town has requested to use $26,000 from the fund balance to purchase three air packs and six air cylinders for the Fire Department.
A request of $50,000, also expected to come from the unexpended fund balance, would be used to make repairs at the Town hall, including painting the trim and repointing the brick.
An additional $60,000 would also be for improvements at the Town Hall, as well as other municipal buildings, and would be used to enhance building security and cybersecurity. In addition to Town Hall, the improvements would also encompass the Highway Department and town pool. The funding is anticipated to come from this year’s unexpended fund balance.
The town is also requesting $40,000 from the fund balance, to convert the town’s streetlights to LED.
Furthermore, the town is requesting several changes to its tax exemptions this year.
As with many towns, Greenville is seeking to readopt its veterans tax credit. Recent changes in the law have expanded the eligibility for such credits to those actively serving, not just those honorably discharged. In addition to readopting the articles with the expanded definitions, as all towns are required, Greenville is also proposing to increase the credit from $500 to $750.
In addition, the town is proposing to adjust the elderly tax exemption to exempt up to $40,000 of property for those 65 or older, $60,000 for those 75 or older and $80,000 for those 80 or older. The exemption only applies to those who have a net annual income of less than $20,000 for a single person or $27,000 for a married couple, and own assets worth less than $50,000, not including their home.
In non-monetary articles, the the town is proposing to amend the organization of the Fire Department. The changes would include eliminating the elected position of fire ward. Under the new system, the fire chief would be appointed by the Select Board or Town Administrator, and firefighters appointed by the same upon recommendation of the chief.
There is also a petition article this year to allow the operation of the electronic lottery game Keno.
Residents have the opportunity to comment on the budget and warrant articles during the town’s budget hearing, scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @Ashley Saari MLT.