The Wiscasset Budget Committee is recommending voters reject the planning budget that keeps a full-time planner. The 2-6 vote on the $66,764 proposal was among several split decisions Monday night, including voting 4-3-1 to recommend voters pass Emergency Medical Services.

The panel had little comment on planning. “I kind of thought there was some fluff there we could live without,” Chairman Bob Blagden said. Selectmen recently voted 3-2 for planning; the department has had some close calls in recent years with officials and voters. According to a draft warrant the committee was going by, taxpayers would fund $57,764; the 2014 tax incentive deal with Molnlycke, $9,000.

The committee supported the proposed $40,954 for the school resource officer, $4,000 to repair the town clock and $200 in stair repairs and railings for the powder house; and everything selectmen proposed funding from capital reserve including up to $20,000 for a generator to meet government requirements at the wastewater treatment plant. Town Manager Marian Anderson informed the panel, the town may be spared that expense. She got an email Monday from Lincoln County, letting her know generators might be available, she said.

Also Monday, the panel voiced concern about revenue projections. If the town loses one of its two ambulances, the loss of runs for patient transfers will impact the projected $315,000 in revenue toward EMS’ $544,250 budget, committee member John Merry said. When an ambulance was down recently, the department missed out on thousands of dollars in transfer runs, Merry said. He said building uncertain revenues into budgets troubled him. “It’s Russian roulette, in my opinion.”

Merry cited a memo EMS Director Toby Martin issued Monday to the committee, selectmen and Anderson. It cites a risk of a $27,000 fine any time the department is found out of compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules on protective equipment; and it describes the 2003 ambulance as “failing quickly.” The memo proposes tapping department revenue for a lease-purchase deal on an ambulance.

Monday’s memo argues capital improvement should be based on evidence of a need, and not be viewed as a wish list. “Establishing dedicated funding for our services without increasing the tax rate is paramount to the delivery of the services ...,” Martin writes.

Committee secretary Fred Quivey agreed with Merry it was hard to know what some departments’ revenues will be; members noted throughout the evening, they could not change any figures on the draft warrant.

The panel meets with Superintendent of Schools Heather Wilmot on the school budget at 6 p.m. Friday, April 14, at the municipal building.