A proposed $171,126 hike in Dresden’s share of the KIDS RSU 2 school budget for 2013-2014 met dismay from the town's board of selectmen at their regular meeting Monday night.

Chairman Phil Johnston said, “I will go on record that I will publicly oppose it.”

The board signed its permission to post the warrant for the upcoming budget proposal, which includes the increase observers have anticipated because of state reimbursement cuts.

Last school year’s total RSU 2 budget totaled $23.1 million with Dresden’s share amounting to $1.34 million.

The entire proposed school budget, not yet announced, will receive its first airing at the May 30 RSU 2 board meeting at 6 p.m. at Richmond High School followed by a public meeting for all towns in the school unit at 6 p.m. at Hall-Dale High School.

Then Dresden and other towns in the regional school unit will vote in their individual towns on the proposed budget in an up or down referendum vote. Dresden will hold its vote on Tuesday, June 11 along with its own town elections for second selectman for which Melanie Gaczi, Lauren Haven, Gerald Lilly have announced their candidacy. Incumbent David Probert decided earlier this year he will not seek reelection for the three-year post.

Others running for local office include Kim Rzasa for treasurer, incumbent; Kim Rzasa for town clerk, incumbent; Susan Bickford and Ann Pierce, incumbent, for property tax collector; Kim Rzasa for excise tax collector, and Michael Terrell for school committee, incumbent.

E-waste report

Selectman David Probert said he received a report from Lincoln County Recycling that it collected three and a half tons of electronic equipment from the county’s recent e-waste collections throughout the county.

Other business

The board voted unanimously in favor of attorney Ervin Snyder as the town moderator for Dresden’s annual town meeting on June 15.

James Valley, the new code enforcement officer of Richmond, who is also Dresden's code enforcement officer and plumbing inspector, was unable to attend the selectmen’s board meeting Monday but plans to attend a future meeting by way of introduction.

Fire Chief Gerald Lilly informed selectmen that $7,000 will be taken out of the local fire department’s operating budget to cover the cost of repairing a leaking tanker truck.

The board also voted in favor of William H. Brewer, CPA for the audit in January of this year’s town finances.

Chairman Johnston reported the town lists 492 recipients of the Homestead property tax exemption, including four new recipients this year. The town’s report for the exemptions has to be sent in by June 1, Johnston said.

Grass mowing bids

Selectmen announced the town will receive bids for mowing grass at four town facilities, excluding the Old Town Hall, on Friday, May 24 at 9 a.m. at the Town Office. The board will open the bids at its next meeting on June 3.

Meetings schedule

Selectmen announced their next workshop on June 10 at 6 p.m. at the Town Office and the board’s next regular meeting on June 3 at Pownalborough Hall at 6 p.m. The Town Office will be closed on May 27 in observance of Memorial Day.

Town elections, which are considered the start of annual town meeting, will be held on June 11 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Pownalborough Hall. The town meeting will resume in open forum on June 15 at 9 a.m. at Pownalborough Hall.