EPS bill on way to Augusta

PARIS —  Officials from at least one town plan on traveling to Augusta to testify in favor of legislation to be proposed this week that could prevent a steep jump in local taxes to fund schools.

During the selectmen's meeting Monday, Town Manager Amy Bernard reported she met with SAD 17 officials and representatives from other towns to go over proposed legislation that would excuse SAD 17 from paying the full required share of local school funding.

Bernard reported that Senator Jim Hamper (R-Oxford) intended to propose a bill that would allow school districts to fund the local share to the same degree the state provides its share.

Hamper did not return phone calls by press time.

Currently, the state only funds 84 percent of its share, but requires school districts to fund 100 percent of their share before receiving state aid.

For the past few years a waiver that excuses districts from the requirement has been in place but it expires this year. The proposed bill would remove the expiration, Bernard said.

The most powerful way to communicate the impact on local taxes the EPS requirements would have is to testify at committee hearings on the bill, Bernard said.

Friday, January 18 is the last day to submit new bills, so the date for hearings had not been set, but Bernard said she would like the board direct her to testify when it was.

In other news the board:

• Authorized the fire department to pursue a lease-purchase agreement for 20 new Self Contained Breathing Apparatus units.

• Heard Fire Chief Brad Frost applied for grants for a cold water rescue boat and a security system for the town office.