Nobleboro residents passed every article on the fiscal year 2009 warrant at the annual town meeting in the Nobleboro Central School gymnasium March 21.
In addition to allocating municipal spending for the year, voters approved a $2,788,263 school budget to be voted on again June 9. The state mandated Essential Programs and Services figure required from the town amounts to $2,540,377.
This budget is down $120,943 from the current fiscal year budget and represents a decreased local appropriation of $8631, School Union 74 Superintendent Bob Bouchard said, adding the decreased budget is due to restored subsidy and the fact that health insurance premiums will not rise next year.
Residents at the town meeting were handed separate yellow sheets on which the revised school budget figures showed a decrease in local funds (from $499,009 earlier detailed and noted in the annual town report) to $448,676. There was also an increase in the balance forward estimate (from $65,246 in the town report) to $100,246.
Citizens in the audience at the school gymnasium asked questions about class size, alternative education, the elementary school principal position and for general explanations of various warrant articles. Some of the questions posed by voters indicated a concern over the high cost of education to the town.
Bouchard said there is no policy on minimum class size in response to an inquiry from a citizen. He said the school has reduced teacher positions at the school, which in turn reduces the budget.
One resident mentioned his concern that the average cost to municipalities for education is less than what Nobleboro is being asked to pay. School Board member Joshua Hatch said the average figures are not realistic.
Two students entering the local school or leaving the school will not drastically affect the budget, as these average figures imply. He also said the numbers can be deceiving when compared with school districts that have larger populations.
Bouchard reiterated that Union 74, which has formed an Alternative Organizational Structure with Jefferson (called the Central Lincoln County School System, number 93), has not lost state subsidy because of the consolidation mandated by the state.
A resident wanted to know what the $10,172 to be allocated for Other Instruction included. Bouchard said this line item funds trips to Camp Kieve in Nobleboro, coaches and athletic programs. Camp Kieve gives a discount to Nobleboro students who attend their programs. Bouchard also said the camp gives $15,000 to the town in lieu of taxes.
There was some discussion over the principal position. Residents wanted to know why a raise was budgeted for the school principal position. Hatch said they get information from the state regarding salary averages and that it is normal for the principal position to receive a raise each year. He said Nobleboro falls somewhere in the middle of these averages. Hatch added that the school is saving about $12,000, because principal Mark Deblois is picking up the school guidance counselor position.
Residents also learned at the annual town meeting a total 229 votes elected officials for selectman (which includes assessor, overseer of the poor and member of the fish committee), school committee member and road commissioner.
Incumbent John York was reelected to a two-year term as road commissioner for Nobleboro, receiving 116 votes. Dale Wright, who also ran for road commissioner received 112 votes.
Incumbent Richard Spear received 210 votes for the three-year term as selectman against one vote each for Michael Ball, Stanley Waltz, Dale Wright and Bruce Hartford. Joshua Hatch (188 votes) and Thomas Wriggins (167 votes) were elected to the three-year term on the school board, vying against a single vote for Bruce Hartford.
All municipal budget articles for fiscal year 2009 were approved. There was some discussion over town support of the Skidompha Library, Highland Cemetery and a six-acre purchase of land for the Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association.
Robert Sawyer, president of the Highland Cemetery, asked the town for additional support in the amount of $191, over the $1000 recommended by town selectmen. His motion passed and voters approved the amount in addition to funding the library ($12,000) and land purchase ($2000).
