Economic hard times impact small towns like Dresden, which this year faces about a $100,000 revenue shortfall, plus uncertainty about its share of this year’s KIDS RSU 2 school budget.

The Dresden Board of Selectmen originally projected $375,000 to cover the town's needs, but so far has a total of only $277,347.

Members agonized a bit over the prospects when the subject of this year’s town budget came up at their regular meeting Monday night, March 11. In the coming weeks, the town has to formulate a budget, which voters will decide on at the annual town meeting in June. Selectmen have it as an agenda item for upcoming workshops.

They envision a dismal picture unless things turn around, including additional revenue to make up the difference and Gov. Paul LePage’s proposed education cuts.

Administrative Assistant Trudy Foss seems to think otherwise. The town can make up a lot of the current lack with excise taxes and licenses this spring, in her estimation. She said the town usually does a considerable amount of business every year at this time.

Whether it can make up the difference in the next three months seems dubious to Selectman David Probert, however. “I don’t think we’re going to make it,” he said. “That’s just my opinion.”

As for education, Chairman Phil Johnston informed the board about RSU Supt. Virgel Hammonds’ planned attendance at a meeting March 28 to protest the governor’s budget proposals, which include $12.6 million for education throughout the State of Maine this coming year.

Johnston said Hammonds asked town officials in the school unit if they have anything they would like to say in preparation for his remarks at the meeting. 

“This proposal has a stiff impact for the population of a town of 1,600,” Johnston said.

Recycling hours change

At Selectman Probert’s suggestion, the board voted to approve staying with the winter hours for closing at 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Saturdays during the spring and summer for the town’s center for recycling, garbage transfer, and swap shop. 

Not many people "come between 4 and 5 p.m., so why not keep the same hours?” he said.

In the past, the town has had summer hours of 1-5 p.m. on Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 5p.m on Saturdays and went the 5 p.m. closing times this year as soon it was light at 5 p.m. but will go back to the 4 p.m. closing times this week. 

The town will keep the same 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays all year round, however. 

During the discussion, Probert said a resident asked if the center could be open on Mondays. “I, for one, don’t agree with changing any days,” he said.

Johnston suggested an informal survey for input from residents. He asked, “Do weekends seem like an appropriate time?”

Moeller objected to the idea. “I’m not in favor of bumping it up as an option.” 

Selectmen may discuss the possibility at a workshop.

Bog Road repairs

Selectman Allan Moeller reported repairs to muddy spots along Bog Road with crushed stone. 

“There is really a need to look into that,” he said. “In the first part of Bog Road we dumped gravel there.”

Selectman plan to discuss the situation at their next workshop on Mon., March 18 at 6 p.m. at the Town Office.

Family cemetery donation

Chairman Johnston reported receiving a $2,000 donation for the donor’s stated purpose of maintaining the Perkins family cemetery in perpetuity. 

The board discussed whether it should accept the funds for such a purpose, but Foss said the town has done that in the past with the Abbie Barker cemetery. However, maintenance does not mean mowing and trimming, only necessary work to be done like removing a fallen tree or the like and would not be in perpetuity, selectmen said.

“I don’t mind accepting it (donation), but $2,000 is not going to go far,” Selectman Allan Moeller said.

After the $2000 runs out, it would then fall under the town’s ancient cemetery care, Johnston said.

Foss reminded the board the matter would have to go before the town meeting in June.