Alna's surplus for the fiscal year that ended Jan. 31 would go the town about half a month if those funds had to pay the bills, accountant Fred Brewer told selectmen June 20.

"That's really tight," Third Selectman Doug Baston said. How many months' spending should a town keep in surplus, he asked.

For Alna, more than two months, Brewer, of Wiilliam H. Brewer & Co. in Bath, said. He said that is because the town, which starts its fiscal year Feb. 1, commits taxes so much later in the year. Baston recalled, one year it was Oct. 1. Brewer added at another point, the way to have more surplus is to tap it less. The board uses 80 percent of it each year to offset taxes, he said.

Documents he reviewed in presenting the final audit showed the fiscal year ended with $83,742 in surplus. In 2017, the town had $163,755 in surplus, about enough for one month of costs; and in 2016, $106,756, about enough for three quarters of a month, he said.

The commitment gets done as early as possible, but always has to wait until the town knows its school bill, former first selectman David Abbott said.

Brewer found tax collecting continued to improve, at 90.38 percent. Collection stood at 89.85 percent Jan. 31, 2017 and 89.45 percent Jan. 31, 2016, according to a document he provided.

Also June 20, the board pulled four of the town office's open hours a week, to give staff that time for reports, website updates and other work.

New hours are Tuesday and Friday 8 a.m. to noon, Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Selectmen continued planning to get word out to residents to be able to verify for the town if they have K-8 or future K-8 students living there by June 30. Officials have said any child living in town as of that date will be grandfathered from the change Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit 12 voters made June 12 to Alna's K-8 school choice, starting July 1, to publicly fund only public school choice.

The board meets next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 3 at the town office.