Ashland’s 2010 budget down from last year’s
Staff Writer
ASHLAND — Voters approved the town’s 2010 budget of $1.2 million during the annual Town Meeting, held March 16.
“That’s actually down from last year’s figure. The 2009 budget was $1,303,698; our 2010 budget is $1,240,046,” said Town Manager Jim Gardner.
Gardner said the reduced amount was made possible with a little “belt-tightening” by municipal staff.
“The one thing we did cut was another police officer. We’re down from three to two full-timers. That shouldn’t affect coverage; we still have reserve,” he said.
The drop in the budget total will also help keep the mil rate stable.
“If everything stays the same, it won’t affect the mil rate. It will keep the town’s portion at 17.25 mil ($17.25 per thousand in valuation),” said Gardner, noting Ashland, like other communities, has to wait until county and school budgets are finalized before a final figure will be known.
He said every department took a hit but municipal officials did what they had to do to keep taxes in check.
“Every department took a hit. We went to a higher deductible on insurance for everyone,” said Gardner.
Officials are hoping the mil rate will help attract not just new residents but businesses as well.
“Our mil rate is an attractive bargaining chip in attracting interest in the mills that are for sale. Our main focus is the mills right now. Fraser’s been putting parts back in our mill, upgrading the building — things you do before you try to sell.”
Gardner said municipal voting went without a hitch this year, with voting occurring on March 15 and the Town Meeting and related voting taking place on March 16.
“We had a number of seats and articles to vote on at the two meetings. Everything went smoothly,” he said.
Two three-year terms on the Town Council were won by incumbent Frank Sprague who received 194 votes and William Nemer who received 179 votes. Also trying for the vacancies were Harvey McLellan, with 82 votes; and Ronald Rushinal, with 62 votes.
Gardner said most of the 45 articles were approved without any comment. Article 3 and Article 4 had been discussed at a public hearing March 11 and involved discontinuance of two roads in the community.
“Article 3 was for discontinuance of a distance of about 600 feet of the Realty Road but continuation of public easement, with the discontinuation beginning at the Garfield town line. It was approved by a vote of 207 to 71,” said Gardner.
The discontinuation was necessary to allow Boralex to be able to run power lines to other businesses at the Industrial Park. Gardner said current PUC laws prohibit running such lines beneath municipally-maintained roads. By the town discontinuing that section of roadway, surrounding businesses will now benefit from access to power produced by Boralex.
“The surrounding businesses could save upward of $100,000 annually. That’s money they can put into new equipment and new hires. Industrial Park businesses will take care of maintaining that portion of the road. We’ll still plow and turn around in the same place,” said Gardner. Businesses who may benefit from this include Katahdin Forest Products, Kelly Lumber and Northeast Pellets.
Gardner said while the road has been discontinued from a municipal standpoint, “public easement will continue.”
“What it does is allow power (from Boralex) to go to some of our other businesses. It will utilize power no one’s picking up now,” said Gardner.
Article 4 seeking approval to discontinue a public easement and town way pertaining to the Nowland Road raised concern at the public hearing, since it would effectively land-lock some property owners, making it necessary to build an alternate route for access.
Article 4, as written, requested: “To see if the town will vote to approve the order of discontinuance of a public easement and town way pertaining to the Nowland Road for a distance of approximately 1.2 miles beginning at the end of Fenderson Road, which was issued by the municipal officers on February 17, 2010, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $200,000-plus to pay damages as stated in the order.”
“Voters understood the damages that would arise, had the road been discontinued,” said Gardner, noting the closure would have caused hardship for property owners beyond the section the discontinuation would have involved and resulted in significant funds being expended to resolve the issue. “A new road would have been necessary to access points beyond the closure.”
A Community Development Block Grant was the focus of Article 41.
“The grant was more a formality that will benefit a local business. Voters authorized the Council to pursue (the grant). Article 41 passed with a big ‘yes’ by voters,” said Gardner. The $400,000 grant is broken down into two parts: a $200,000 grant to the town for Northeast Pellets; and a $200,000 grant to the town as a loan to the business.
Article 41 reads: “Shall the town of Ashland vote to approve a community development program and to authorize the municipal officers to accept Community Development Block Grant funds, to make assurances, assume such responsibilities and exercise such authority as are necessary and reasonable to implement such a program.”
Gardner said the grant will be used to help the pellet plant.
“It gives the community a chance to assist someone who’s benefited our community. It was taken out by fire last year. We’re fortunate he’s (owner Matt Bell) has elected to stay here. This will allow him to purchase equipment he needs to start the mill back up,” said Gardner. “I think anything we can do to help a business stay, grow and prosper is to our advantage.”
COUNCILOR HONORED — A longtime member of the Ashland Town Council was recognized during a March public hearing for his many years of dedicated service to the community. Lawrence Michaud was presented with a plaque which read: “Presented to Lawrence Michaud in recognition for 10 years of dedicated service given to the Ashland Town Council and the citizens of Ashland. March 15, 1999-March 15, 2010.” Picutred, from left, front row: Michaud shaking hands with Town Manager Jim Gardner. In back: Council Chair Frank Sprague; and Councilors Robert Nelson and Dave Milligan. Absent from photo was Councilor Dana S. Cameron.
Northern Maine Development Commission’s Duane Walton was in Ashland in March to attend a public hearing where he provided details of the Community Development Block Grant program. Residents voted in favor of the community pursuing the grant, with funds to be used to assist Northeast Pellets LLC. Pictured, from left: Matt Bell, owner of Northeast Pellets; and Walton.
