Wiscasset selectmen told Town Manager Laurie Smith to the reduce the fund balance contribution for the 2013-2014 budget by $300,000. In presenting the budget to selectmen Tuesday evening, she said, “Reducing the tax commitment by $300,000 can be accomplished by reducing expenses, and/or increasing revenues.

“I have used both methods in reducing the budget. My draft budget proposal has reduced expenses by approximately $200,000 and increased revenues by $100,000.”

Smith reminded selectmen and the budget committee that this budget will create changes in services and public input is needed before the budget is finalized.

There will be an opportunity for the public to give their input at an informational meeting scheduled for April 2 at 7 p.m.

According to the draft budget service changes will include:

-A decrease in administration support by 520 hours annually, a 6.4 percent decrease ($12,374)

-The municipal building will see a reduction in cleaning hours by 520 hours annually, a 14.6 percent decrease ($10,984)

-The Code Enforcement position will be reduced to 20 hours per week. The planner will take on additional responsibilities with reduced hours and supervise the position. This is an 11.4 percent decrease ($5,548)

-The police department has reduced pay rates for permanent part-time reserve officers and planned on a reduction of police coverage with 104 hours annually with no local police coverage. The police chief will work four 10-hour days; a 3.2 percent decrease ($10,807)

It is proposed that the Transfer Station be moved to a pay-as-you-throw system. This would increase expenses slightly in the purchase of user fee bags, which would be offset by increased PAYT revenue. This is a 31 percent decrease ($80,524)  

The recreation department will see a decrease in staff and hours in order to lower expenses; a 5.2 percent decrease, ($40,013)

The Public Works Department will lose one position and will work more closely with Transfer Station to share personnel and resources; a 9.9 percent decrease, ($65,550)

The cemetery budget will have a reduction in regular employee hours with the lost of one full time Public Works employee; a 7.7 percent reduction ($5,057)

Other budget decreases in the draft budget are a 14.1 decrease percent in the Senior Center budget amounting to $8,472; a 2.5 percent decrease in the Waterfront budget of $1,095; a 2.5 percent decrease in the Wastewater budget of $12,702 and other decreases in the community organizations; Emergency Medical services; animal control; and a decrease in insurance costs

In the 2012-2013 budget there was a fund balance contribution of $480,000 to reduce the mil rate. In the 2013-2014 budget there is no fund balance contribution. The amount to be raised from taxes last year was $1.9 million, with the $480 fund balance contribution the amount raised from taxes were $1.4 million. In the draft 2013-2014 budget, the amount to be raised from taxes is $1.6 million, which will give the town a tax rate of $16.16 and an increase of  $.26, over last year of $15.90.

Saturday, March 23, the selectmen will be meeting with the department heads beginning at 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Charlotte Boynton can be reached at 207-844-4632 or cboynton@wiscassetnewspaper.com.