Board OKs $8.5M budget

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — The budget review board is sending an $8,529,260 recommended budget to the town council for approval after a nearly four-hour meeting marked by back and forth motions when members could not agree on how much to increase or decrease funding for various departments. Several meetings since late November culminated in the recapitulation meeting Dec. 17, which was peppered by Chairman Donald Keiser’s remarks to stay on task, to not divert from the matters at hand and to avoid personal issues.  
    As the meeting began, Keiser remarked that generally the town manager’s work had been done well, especially considering fuel costs and contract increases. Also agreeing with the overall 2009 budget as submitted, were members Galen Wilde, Dorothy Donahue, James Pinard and Rick Kelley. Stan Ginish said with few exceptions, it didn’t matter where, he wanted to see a 10 percent cut in the total budget. Phil Bernaiche said the budget needed some improvement. Most of Bernaiche’s expressed concerns were with the severe economic climate and the burden to taxpayers.
Back and forth on the budget
The board approved the final budget at $24,500 over the town manager’s submission. Among the changes were: an increase in the economic development and consultants’ line in the budget from $50,000 to $75,000 over the objections of Ginish and Bernaiche. Donahue and Wilde said an increase would help bring money into the town for economic development. Donahue wanted a $50,000 increase but the board finally approved a $25,000 increase bringing the total to $75,000 for consultants. The board voted to cut $10,000 from capital projects expenses and $500 from the cemeteries’ budget.
    The board voted to increase the Houlton Police Department budget by $5,000 to purchase a four-wheel-vehicle over Bernaiche’s and Ginish’s objections. Other increases included $3,000 for health and social services and $1,000 for the Aroostook Area Agency on Aging.
    The Houlton Town Council will review the budget, Monday, Dec. 29. The public hearing will take place Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009.