Waterford voters approve budget

WATERFORD — Annual town meeting voters approved a $1.1 million budget Saturday and gave the go-ahead to buy a $147,000 plow truck but nixed a $500 assistance request from the American Red Cross.

“The Red Cross does nothing for the town of Waterford,” said Tony Butterall, a member of the Finance Committee, who along with other members and residents recommended no money for the agency.

The request was one of seven social service agencies that asked for money this year. Two other agencies, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Western Maine Transportation Services did not get their requests into the Finance Committee in time to be budgeted, but representatives successfully argued from the floor Saturday for $250 each.

Finance Committeeman Barry Patrie said he had concerns with funding the Red Cross “until it gets its house in order.”

“Its whole structure is a bloated structure,” Patrie said of the agency that has recently publicized its urgent need for financial assistance.

Finance Committee Chairman John Martin said the Red Cross was sent paperwork in October to fill out financial request forms, but the board had not heard from them by the deadline in January. The Finance Committee did not recommend any amount.

Voters approved an amendment to provide the additional $250 each for the Big Brother Big Sisters and Western Maine Transportation Agency. The money was part of an overall $7,168 approval for those two agencies and Androscoggin Home Care, which received $1,332; Bridgton Senior Transportation, which received $475, Community Concepts, $2,870; REACH, $470; SeniorsPlus, $151; and Tri-County Mental Health Services, $1,370.

Assistance to those agencies has been reduced by many towns in the past several years because of economic restraints and, in some cases, because agencies failed to appear before town meeting voters to argue their cases.

While the agencies' requests created some discussion, the majority of the 62-article warrant was passed without debate.

Board of Selectman Chairman Randy Lessard told the 75 or so voters gathered in the fire station that it would not be clear until next fall what the new mill rate will be. But based on finances this year, he said, it appeared the “worst-case scenario” would be a mill rate of $13.44 per $1,000 of property value, about 5 cents more than last year's rate.

In other action, voters approved spending $147,000 to buy a 2011 plow truck. Road Commissioner Brad Grover said it would not be cost-effective to spend a little less on a used plow because there are no good used plows for sale. The money for the new plow truck will come from the Forestry Account to be paid back over a seven-year period at $21,000 per year.

Voters approved a 3 percent increase in the salaries and wages line item. Selectmen will determine who gets the additional money.

Voters also approved appropriating $171,500 for transfer station costs, but Waterford's share will be only $111,475. The remainder of the costs are Albany and Stoneham's shares. Those towns will reimburse Waterford because the bills come to Waterford for payment.