The Damariscotta Selectmen voted Wednesday to exclude outside groups from this year’s regular budget process in a move designed to shore up existing funding for municipal services.
The decision means outside groups, called provider agencies by the town, will still be able to obtain a share of the local tax revenues. However, they will have to obtain signatures on a petition to win a place on the warrant to be submitted to voters at the annual town meeting.
Last year town voters approved spending $37,946 in local tax monies to the outside groups.
Voters approved $19,000 for Skidompha Library, and $3500 for the Central Lincoln County YMCA.
The alternative is to close, cut services or charge each family $40 for their library cards, she said. Currently, Skidompha Library cards are issued without charge.
Other provider agencies receiving tax funds last year include: Midcoast Community Action ($1320), Coastal Trans ($1000), Eldercare ($2000), Kno-Wal-Lin ($1981)
Other provider agencies receiving tax funds last year include: Midcoast Community Action ($1320), Coastal Trans ($1000), Eldercare ($2000), Kno-Wal-Lin ($1981), Healthy Kids ($1500), New Hope for Women ($1155), Pemaquid Watershed Association, ($500), Miles Health Care Inc., ($3000), and Senior Spectrum ($2990).
Damariscotta Town Manager Greg Zinser said the board voted to cut funding for provider agencies rather than decrease usual municipal expenses like salaries and benefits.
“The outside groups are not being cut off, but, unlike in other years, they will not automatically be added to the warrant by the selectmen,” he said.
Town Clerk Cheryl Pinkham said agencies seeking to be placed on the warrant must draft a letter asking the voters to approve spending tax dollars on their group.
“They need to turn this letter in to the town office by 5 p.m. April 12. It must contain the signatures of 112 registered voters. If they do, their organization and the amount they are seeking will be included on the town warrant,” she said.
The procedure is set out in state law. The number of signatures required is 10 percent of the number of votes cast in the last gubernatorial election, she said.
