Approximately 30 citizens attended a May 22 public hearing in the Miller School gymnasium to review the 48 town meeting warrant articles that will face Waldoboro voters Tues., June 12.
Town Manager John Spear introduced the warrant, saying that in addition to electing three selectmen, three members of the budget committee, three representatives to the RSU/MSAD 40 Board of Directors, and two trustees for the utility district, the referendum ballot will call on citizens to decide on budget expenditures totaling $3,673,797.
If approved, the amount to be raised from property taxes would be $1,814,346.
That amount is $127,907 more than the levy limit imposed for Waldoboro under the state law limiting municipal budget growth, known as LD1.
Spear said the increase is due to a need to replenish capital reserves and increases in salaries and benefits. About half of Waldoboro employees work under collective bargaining agreements.
“The exact amount of the increase won’t be known until budgets and new assessments are finalized,” Spear said.
The assessment from RSU/MSAD 40 will be set after the school district’s budget meeting and vote May 29 and once selectmen set an overlay amount after July 1.
Also influencing the mil rate will be any new value-added to tax rolls prior to that time. Spear said, depending on the amount of the overlay, the mil rate for the 2013 fiscal year is expected to rise from the current 13.10 percent of valuation to approximately 13.68 percent.
At the start of the hearing, John Higgins rose to question the annual housekeeping article that calls for approval for the board of selectmen to spend 3/12 of the previous year’s appropriation to meet expenses, in the event of the 2013 budget’s failure at the polls.
Higgins said the board approved items that had been voted down last year and asked if they would do the same this year.
“That’s a decision that would have to be made by the new board that’s seated after the June 12 election,” Spear said.
Finance Director Eileen Dondlinger said the board took action in order to pay the town’s bills.
“A referendum would take at least 40 to 60 days after June 12,” Spear said. “If this article fails then on June 30 we would have to lay off the police department.”
As the hearing went forward, Spear explained the breakdown of expenditures within the budget lines and described changes in the formulation of the budget that more clearly assign expenses to the departments.
Emergency Management Director Kyle Santheson, who also serves as recreation director, explained that funding for his office, used to help coordinate emergency response to disasters, comes through federal grants.
While voters must approve the appropriation in Article 13, the money is not raised through property taxes.
In response to Article 15, to raise and appropriate $17,275 for streetlights, Ron Miller said he was not opposed to the amount but wanted to be sure the lights were working. He called on Waldoboro Police Chief Bill Labombarde to have patrol officers check the lights during quiet times.
Labombarde said they do check the lights and report them weekly to Central Maine Power.
“I can’t predict when CMP will fix them,” he said.
Some voters questioned Article 18, which calls on the town to contribute a total of $23,208 to support 11 social service agencies. Contributions would range from $855 for Mobius Inc., to $4921 for Kno-Wal-Lin Community Health.
Dick Mogel said he had no problem supporting the agencies but would like it to be on a voluntary basis.
“I don’t think the government ought to tell me what I should pay for,” Kanewske said.
Budget Committee member Ellen Winchenbach said she voted for the article because the amount was 5 percent less than the original agency requests.
There was some discussion on Article 20, which would appropriate $22,558 for the Friendship Street School, with some citizens calling on the board to consider selling the building that is home to Friendship Street Head Start.
Concern was expressed as to the safety of the fire escapes and any possible liability the town might have in the event of an accident or injury there.
Spear said the town’s insurance company has recommended the fire escape be upgraded. An engineer consulted indicated a permit to do the fire escape work might also require upgrades to the building’s sprinkler system.
In addressing Article 21, to raise and appropriate $73,150 for the Waldoboro Public Library, Mogel said the town is incorporated as a municipality and the library is incorporated as a private non-profit organization.
“It’s not part of the town,” Mogel said. “It should be funded by contributions.”
He said library employees should not be paid with town funds.
“You can make that argument,” Bill Butler said and pointed out 3500 Waldoboro residents have library cards. “I don’t mind being forced to contribute to the library. I donate privately.”
Butler said the majority of Waldoboro residents value the library and it is the town’s responsibility to help keep the institution on town.
Resident Jann Minzy is president of the library board and a member of the Central Maine Library District Executive Board. She said a public library must, by definition, receive some funding from the municipality in which it resides.
“Three percent of Maine libraries do not receive public funds,” Minzy said. “Many are town departments.” She said it was more expensive to have a town totally fund and control a local library.
“I volunteer weekly,” said Ann Gerrish. “If it weren’t for volunteers we’d be asking for a lot more money for the library.”
Robert Kanewske said he thought everyone valued the library but people are confused.
The Waldoboro Public Library’s total budget for the coming year is $123,092.
Voters also asked about the future of the A.D. Gray School building and were told that the town agreed to remove asbestos before an expected sale to the Central Lincoln County YMCA could be completed. Article 25 calls for an expenditure of $14,600 for building maintenance and utilities
Spear said the YMCA’s goal is to have programs at A.D. Gray by next winter but a sale would need voter approval. He said laws pertaining to public notice require 40 to 60 days before a vote can be accomplished.
Citizens questioned Article 33, allowing the town to spend more than the levy limit imposed by state law. That law allows towns to override the limit by voter approval.
“Every year we get this shoved in our faces,” Duncan Morrell said. “Why can’t you just submit a budget that stays within the formula? My government is not listening to me.”
Articles 35 and 36 address solid waste ordinances. Ad hoc Transfer Station Committee Chairman Bob Butler said the ordinances would not change the way residents dispose of trash and would, in fact, ensure that a change to a pay-per-bag system would require voter approval. He said the ordinances would update policy that has been unchanged since 1980.
A new committee, formed under the ordinances, would be empowered to monitor changes at the Penobscot Energy Recovery Center and negotiate contractual agreements with PERC. Butler said current agreements between PERC and more than 180 Maine municipalities will expire in 2018.
A fireworks ordinance would allow use of consumer fireworks during limited hours, with longer hours on certain holidays. The ordinance would require permits and prohibit fireworks in the downtown and historic districts as well as the commercial district on Rt. 1 and within 50 feet of a public building.
Fireworks permits would not be issued during periods of increased fire danger, as designated by the state fire marshal.
Waldoboro voters will decide on the town meeting warrant June 12 by secret ballot at the Waldoboro Municipal Building. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, contact the Waldoboro Town Office at 832-5369.
