Citing some costs that are climbing and others that might climb, Wiscasset Town Manager Dennis Simmons got selectmen’s OK Oct. 3 to carry forward hundreds of thousands of unspent dollars from departments’ 2022-23 budgets to this year’s. That money will, among other things, help the town redo and extend the veterans’ wall walkway; and possibly help Wiscasset Ambulance Service (WAS) recruit workers, according to Simmons’ report to the board. 

The retirement plan for WAS would change to one Simmons said the police department has and that other towns have moved public safety employees to; the change will need selectmen’s approval. The board agreed to bring forward from 2022-23 to 2023-24 $50,000 in the emergency medical services department. Besides the possible retirement plan change, Simmons cited labor costs and the increasing cost of medical supplies. “EMS continues to be under pressure,” he wrote.

Tipping fees this year “are running right on budget. Any increase will stress the transfer station budget,” Simmons wrote. And if a prior worker who did not take health insurance is replaced by one who takes the family plan, “we will be short $25,665,” he explained of his request to carry $45,000 of the station’s $58,674 unspent 2022-23 funds forward to this year’s budget. 

Some funds involve items Simmons said the town committed to earlier, including the comprehensive plan, painting the clock tower, and planning services, but that either are not done or the town has not received invoices for.

Altogether, moving into this year’s budget more than $350,000 of the $715,578 in unspent funds left about $360,000 to add to the town’s surplus. 

Also Oct. 3, the board nodded Simmons’ vacation request for Jan. 16-30 and Wiscasset music educators Carole Drury and Matthew Gordon’s request to tap the Larrabee Fund for $5,102 for instruments and accessories. In a letter, Drury and Gordon noted prior taps of the fund have helped many more students join band. Now many fifth graders would like to take part, plus Gordon is offering middle and high schoolers rock band and digital music instruction, the two told the board. Selectmen praised Drury’s and Gordon’s detailed explanation and the program’s success.

As for Simmons’ vacation plans, Selectmen’s Chair Sarah Whitfield was abstaining from the vote “for obvious reasons,” she said, laughing. She noted on Facebook in August 2022, the two are in a relationship. Simmons told the board in the Oct. 3 meeting, they have been planning a January trip to Europe and on Oct. 2 secured tickets to the Vienna Philharmonic Ball. “And before I spend any more money on this vacation, I probably should actually get (the dates) approved first,” he said, laughing. Selectman Pam Dunning asked, “Where are you taking your dance lessons?”

“Yeah,” Selectman Terry Heller chimed in.

“Well, we haven’t figured that out yet,” Simmons said.

“But we’re going to,” Whitfield added. “We are going to.”