Augusta will pay for most of the costs associated with a paving project approved by the Wiscasset Board of Selectmen on Oct. 4.
Wiscasset Town Manager Laurie Smith informed the Board of the Selectmen that the State would pay 80 percent of paving and raising the Federal Street sidewalk if the Town supplies the remaining funds. The town will be responsible for about $6400.
Curbs on Federal Street were left six inches higher than the sidewalk after construction crews repaved the road during the Wiscasset Water District’s water main replacement project.
Harry C. Crooker & Sons, Inc., the construction company tasked with the project, says the raising and repaving the sidewalk will cost an estimated $35,600. The Water District will contribute $3600 left over for the water main replacement project to the sidewalk reconstruction. Of the $32,000 remaining, the town’s contribution would total $6400.
Smith said the funds will be taken from the sidewalk and paving budget.
Road Commissioner Greg Griffen said he fought vigorously to minimize the project’s cost to the taxpayers, and that this proposal was the best the town was going to receive.
“I think you’re looking at a deal here. I’d hate for the town to pass it up,” Griffen said.
Smith said that some cost figures swirling around had the town contributing some $20,000 to fix the sidewalks.
The new sidewalks will be asphalt, four and a half feet wide, and run the length of Federal Street.
The Board approved the plan unanimously on the condition that the town’s share of the project not exceed $6400.
New assistance maximums
The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to adopt new General Assistance Maximums from the Department of Health and Human Services. The General Assistance Maximum is the top income a person or family can earn before they become ineligible for town assistance.
According to Lisa Garman, the town’s executive assistant, those requesting general assistance from the town must fill out a form that determines how much a person owes in bills and their income. The town can make up the difference between the two. Emergency assistance can be granted on a case-by-case basis.
The board’s vote increases the food, utilities, personal care and housing maximums as recommended by the Maine Municipal Association.
Supplements are also given to needy households with children.
Taxpayers Night
Budget Committee member Richard Hanson informed the public that a Taxpayers Night will be held Thurs., Oct. 20, at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room of the Wiscasset Town Office. The gathering will be open for the public to express their thoughts on the budget process.
Appointments
The Board of Selectmen appointed three people to town committees.
Dudley Leavitt III was unanimously appointed to the RSU 12 School Board for a term expiring June 12, 2012. Judy Colby, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, and Selectman Pam Dunning interviewed Leavitt.
Leavitt joins the RSU board at a time of intense debate over whether Wiscasset should withdraw from the school union.
“Looking at him, I felt he could look at both sides of the situation,” Colby said.
Scott James was appointed with four votes in favor and one abstention to the Shellfish Committee for a term expiring June 30, 2012.
Dunning, who withdrew herself from the vote due to a conflict of interest, approved of James’ nomination.
“He’s been in the business since he was in diapers,” Dunning said.
Al Cohen was unanimously appointed to the Ordinance Review Committee for a term expiring June 30, 2012, as the board’s final appointment.
Recognition award
The Wiscasset Board of Selectmen gave Ames True Value Supply a Business Recognition Award for its commitment and dedication to the community.
Town Manager Laurie Smith praised the Ames Family for their kindness to customers and community support, including their assistance in selecting a new police chief.
Education clarification
Smith addressed concerns from some residents that the town was artificially inflating the cost of the school budget to shed negative light on the town’s contribution to the RSU.
Smith said that last year’s tax bill showed school costs coming out of the town budget, while this year the tax bill reflected the total portion coming out of property taxes.
While the school system is just under 50 percent of the town’s budget, it makes up over 70 percent of property taxes.
Smith said that state statues forced the town include this information on this year’s tax bill.
Smith said the school budget was flat from fiscal year 2011 to fiscal year 2012.
