Wiscasset selectmen's choice to lump several proposed capital improvements into a single item for voters June 11 is drawing criticism from the town's budget committee.

“As a voter, I'd be so confused I probably wouldn't vote. It's got to be itemized,” committee member John Merry said at the committee's April 11 meeting.

Combining proposed projects also limits the committee's options in what to recommend to voters, fellow member Bob Blagden said.

Combining them now provides leeway when selectmen have to make funding decisions later, based on newer information, selectmen have said.

The panel's chairman, Cliff Hendricks, called the April 11 meeting so the committee could complete its budget recommendations. But that didn't happen. Only four of eight members made it to the meeting. Others were away or ill, Hendricks said.

Members who came weren't sure they had the number needed for their votes to count. Plus, they said it would be better to have the recommendations reflect more than four members' views.

“I think it would be a mistake to take any vote,” Blagden said.

They decided to talk over parts of the budget, but take no action. Hendricks said he would call Town Manager Laurie Smith the next day. At the time, selectmen were scheduled to sign the June warrant April 18. Committee members wondered how their recommendations would make it onto the warrant.

“I think there'd be a lot of upset people in this town,” member Bill Barnes said of the prospect of a warrant missing the committee's recommendations.

“Otherwise, why have a budget committee,” Hendricks agreed.

The warrant signing is now reset for 6 p.m. Monday, April 22, Smith said April 16.

The budget committee plans to meet at 6 p.m. tonight, Thursday, April 18, to decide its recommendations that will appear on the warrant, Hendricks said.

In discussing the proposed budget, committee members questioned the  need to buy a public works truck. Other trucks the town already owns could do the work the new truck would be doing, members said.

They commented briefly on the proposed pay-as-you-throw system at the transfer station. Members were unsure it would bring in the revenue that's been projected. They had another idea to help the station meet its costs, regardless of whether the bag system happens: have fewer workers there at a time.

“It's clear that the dump is overstaffed,” Blagden said.

No selectmen or other town officials were at last week's meeting.

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