LIMESTONE, Maine — The town of Limestone will hold its annual town meeting on June 11, during which residents will be able to approve next year’s budget among other town-related items that may appear on the agenda.
Altogether the proposed budget, which does not include the overlay, is $1,659,592, or $117,292 higher than last year’s budget of $1,542,300. This number includes county taxes and school expenses in addition to the municipal budget. Well over half of the proposed increases are a result of the county and school expenses, which this year are $806,132, or $84,607 higher than last year’s total of $721,525.
On the municipal side, expenses are $853,460, or only $32,685 higher than last year’s total of $820,775.
Some cuts include $10,000 paid to the Limestone Development Foundation, which had formerly provided the town with an economic development coordinator. Town Manager Elizabeth Dickerson has since taken on grant writing and economic development duties since the departure of Dennis McCartney, the town’s former economic development coordinator.
Limestone, like Caribou, also received $116,704 as part of an agreement during the Tri-Community Landfill’s transition to Aroostook Waste Solutions. The Tri-Community Landfill organization formerly consisted of Caribou, Limestone and Fort Fairfield, and now Presque Isle has joined under the new title.
Limestone’s June 30 departure from RSU 39, a school unit consisting of Caribou, Limestone, and Stockholm, will affect the budget, as the town is responsible for a one-time cost of withdrawal for $150,000.
While the date has been set, a location and time for the meeting have not yet been determined by town officials.
