WASHBURN, Maine — Turnout was light for the annual town meeting, held March 18 at the Washburn District High School, where voters approved the municipal budget of just over $1 million. Estimates indicated county taxes will come in around $70,000, with SAD 45’s portion nearing $650,000 again this year, with the anticipated final budget coming in around $2 million.
As in past years, the mil rate — the 2012 figure was $26.50 per $1,000 in valuation — could fluctuate, depending on decisions in Augusta and how much, if any, money is received from the state revenue sharing program. School and state budget figures could affect the final budget, but those figures won’t be known for several months.
Less than a dozen residents were present to vote. Also present were: Bev Turner, town manager; Lisa Mette, town clerk; Troy Heald, fire chief; Roy Guidry Jr., police chief; Town Councilors Daren Churchill, Mike Umphrey, Keith Brown and Fred Thomas; Lois Walton, librarian; Marcie Barbarula, recreation director; Harold Easler, highway foreman; and Adam Doody, code enforcement officer/plumbing inspector. Fred Flewelling served as moderator for the meeting.
Turner noted at the beginning of the meeting that it was Heald’s last official appearance as fire chief. Heald stepped down to pursue other opportunities but will continue to serve the Washburn Fire Department in other capacities, including spokesperson and chaplain for the department.
This year the Public Works Department was the focus of the most discussion. Washburn resident Steve Davis questioned what type of improvements the town planned with regard to infrastructure and how municipal leaders planned to fund projects.
“Is there anything in the budget for hot-topping or equipment, or are we letting everything go?” asked Davis.
Easler said the town needs to do something.
“I keep getting told the funds just aren’t there,” said Easler.
Turner noted there is a small sum set aside in reserve — enough to cover “a small downpayment, then we’d finance.
“We do what we can do,” said Turner.
Davis noted the only new hot-top laid down in town has been around the school.
“I think as a town we need to step it up a bit. We need to do something for our infrastructure or it will be gone,” Davis said. “We have to step up to the plate. I think the town needs to do something.”
Easler said most of the repairs his department has done in recent years has involved using chip seal.
“Chip seal is a five-year fix but does nothing for the underlying structural issues,” said Easler. “Chip seal is about a third of the price of hot-top. We’re able to do about three miles a year, using chip seal. If we went to hot-top, we wouldn’t get a mile of road done a year.”
Easler noted the newest piece of equipment his department has is about 11 years old. Davis asked if there was any data showing a comparison between performing repairs or buying newer equipment.
“We’re trying to track vehicle maintenance, to see what we’re putting out there,” said Turner.
“It’s about $1,000 per year per vehicle, not counting fuel and tires,” said Easler.
Voters approved $415,568 for the public works portion of the municipal budget.
When funding for winding of the town clock came up for discussion, councilors were asked why the $750 spent on winding the town clock couldn’t be diverted to public works, since funds were so desperately needed. The historic significance of the clock was given as the answer.
“The clock is a historic part of Washburn and will be 100 years old next year. If we stopped winding it, if we went back years later and started winding it, it might not work,” said Council Chair Keith Brown.
It was suggested that perhaps the Salmon Brook Historical Society or some other organization could take over care of the clock — located in the Baptist church tower and a gift from A.R. Gould to the town — performing fundraisers to come up with the money to pay someone to wind the historic timepiece. Councilors did not respond and the majority of those present voted to continue funding the winding of the clock.
All articles were approved as they appeared in the annual report. Copies of the report are available at the Washburn Town Office.
