On March 15, Wiscasset Selectman Jeff Slack proposed to pay for the nearly $900,000 in recommended capital improvements with interest from the capital improvement fund. Slack, who also sits on the investment advisory committee, said the investments had been doing well, increasing from $11 million to $15 million.

Over the last few years, selectmen have kept the capital improvement budget to 3.5 percent to 4.5 percent of the budget, following a guideline to rein in spending as taxes were rising. After paying contracted items – a new ambulance for EMS, debt service for the pier, and the back hoe lease agreement – and Town Manager Marian Anderson’s top priorities – replacing outdated firearms for the police department, replacing the pool chemical system at Wiscasset Community Center, providing dash cams and body cameras for the police, and replacing worn carpeting in the municipal building – that would have left $29,000 to $134,623 for other capital improvements. One item, paving, was estimated at $375,000.

In addition, Parks and Recreation needs to replace its 11-year-old plow truck, Public Works is asking to replace a 10-year old truck with a plow and a wing, and the exterior of the municipal building needs painting. Slack said he wanted to use the investments for their intended purpose, to fund capital improvements.

Two items, digital radios for the police and fire departments, were or will be funded largely through Homeland Security grants this year and next. They were removed from this year’s capital improvement budget, leaving about $848,000 for it. Slack proposed withdrawing $1 million and using the rest to offset an expected tax increase. This year’s proposed budget is 3.71 percent above last year’s budget. Anderson said department budgets were mostly flat or lower than last year, but there were unexpected costs the town could do nothing about, including a large increase in water costs, contractual increases for union employees, and increases in worker’s compensation costs. The cost of fuel also went up, as did electricity.

“Overall, I think it’s a very responsible budget,” Anderson said.

Selectmen’s Chair Judy Colby suggested bonding for road improvements. Selectman Bob Blagden said it was “ridiculous” to borrow money to keep taxes down. Slack said there is a cost of doing business. He said this is what the capital improvement fund was designed for, not tax relief.

EMS Chief Toby Martin said capital improvements are no longer a wish list, they are what is needed in the next few years to sustain the departments.

Colby said the town needed a plan before taking the money out. Anderson said there was a plan created by the department heads, and that the capital improvement items on this year’s list came from it.

The board agreed 4-1, Blagden opposed, to withdraw the funds to fully fund the capital improvements, subject to the June vote.  What is not spent from the million dollar withdrawal will go to tax relief, if passed. 

Slack also brought up the issue of whether or not the town should continue to run its police department. With the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office across the street, he argued, it would be better to rely on the county. Selectmen agreed to put a question on the ballot asking for the public’s sentiment. In a June 2015 straw vote about discontinuing the department, residents opposed it, 209-342.

Martin spoke to CLC Ambulance’s recent proposal to take over the functions of EMS. He said while the proposal for the first two years was $175,000, and would give up the town’s rights to EMS equipment, other towns CLC covers pay nothing close to that. Damariscotta is paying about $5,000 per year; Bristol, $16,231; Newcastle, $4,420; Bremen, $1,600; South Bristol, $9,000; Nobleboro, $5,166; Jefferson, $750; and Alna, $4,250.

Moreover, Martin said, there had been no formal request for proposals, and he questioned the legality of putting the issue to the voters at this time. The board agreed and said it would continue to look at the issue. “It doesn’t look like we have enough information yet to move forward,” Colby said.

Selectmen and the budget committee agreed to remove the trash trailer from the transfer station budget. Selectmen voted 3-2 , with Slack and Colby opposed. Participants also discussed merging the two Parks and Recreation budgets.

The budget will be reviewed once more at the March 29 selectmen’s meeting before a vote.