The Wiscasset Budget Committee voted to oppose all articles on the Sept. 11 special town meeting warrant.

At their meeting on July 19, the committee voted unanimously against all four budget items. The articles are reworked versions of budgets that voters rejects at town meeting last month.

The articles are:

Article 2 asks the voters to authorize the town to spend 3/12 of the previous year's budget for any department's whose budgets fail.

Article 3 asks the voters for $48,674 for the code enforcement officer's budget. This cuts the position from 32 hours per week to 25 hours per week.

Article 4 asks for $50,000 for the town's contingency fund, a reduction from the $60,000 request at town meeting.

Article 5 asks for $5,000 for Lincoln County Television, a of from their original $7,000 request.

During the committee’s July 19 meeting, little was added to what the committee told the Wiscasset Selectmen at that board's July 17 meeting.

Article 2: The Budget Committee told the selectmen 20 per week would be enough for the code enforcement officer.

Article 3: They questioned whether a small contingency fund would suffice.

Article 4: Budget Committee members asked why a nonprofit's request was being brought back before voters after it failed at town meeting.

Article 2 garnered some discussion at the July 19 meeting. The article specifically affects the code enforcement officer's budget. By passing article 2, if the code enforcement budget fails, the town can fund the position for three months while they rework the item again.

The article passed at town meeting. The article is on the Sept. 11 ballot to give the town three additional months, in the event that the budget fails again.

Although the Budget Committee was not specifically asked on the budget for a recommendation on this article, Budget Committee member Robert Blagden said he felt the budget committee should make a recommendation because money is attached to the question.

“I am not trying to set a precedent,” Blagden said. But “I believe we should make a recommendation.” Blagden suggested asking the Maine Muncipal Association whether the Budget Committee is allowed to weigh in on the artice.

The committee decided to make a recommendation in case the Maine Municipal Association said it is within their jurisdiction to do so. The vote was unanimous against the article.

At the June 12 town meeting, the code enforcement budget failed 315-354; the contingency fund failed 254-410; and the Lincoln County Television contribution failed 291-365.