Wiscasset's budget committee is throwing its support behind most of the spending selectmen propose to address fallout of the assessing agent's layoff.

The committee recommends that voters at the October 8 town meeting pay Sue Varney's $67,340 severance pay, committee chairman Bob Blagden said; the panel also recommends approval of another $16,000 selectmen are seeking to get themselves trained in assessing duties.

However, the committee recommends no money be added to the town's legal account. Selectmen are recommending $20,000, in case voters refuse to pay Varney the severance her contract calls for, or in case other issues arise from the assessing situation.

Voters already raised $34,000 for the legal account, Blagden said. If that runs out, more could come from contingency or a special town meeting vote, he said.

The budget committee decided its recommendations September 26, Blagden said.

The town meeting is set for 7 p.m. October 8 at Wiscasset Middle School.

Susan Johns can be reached at 207-844-4633 or susanjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com