Budget challenges remain for Houlton Town Council

HOULTON, Maine — With a strike of the gavel, Walter Goodrich called to order Monday’s meeting of the Houlton Town Council — the first since his election as chairman when he acknowledged that “Houlton will face tough decisions in the future.”
   That point was brought home at the council meeting in a report by Town Manager Doug Hazlett who laid out the following budget objectives: adjust for a loss of nearly a quarter of a million dollars in state funding, maintain current public services, replenish the fund balance that the town has used in the past to fill the revenue-expense gap, invest in road and sidewalk improvements and avoid tax increases.
Hazlett said the overall outlook, however, is “encouraging” despite a major cut in revenue sharing and some unknowns such as the school budget, possible delays in the economic recovery and actions by the Legislature. He attributed the hopeful outlook for Houlton to its healthy tax base on residential and commercial property in addition to improved ambulance billing resulting in a predicted revenue increase of $656,775.
The proposed 2010 expense budget is $8,891,428, representing an increase of $459,561. Hazlett said the increase is driven by four major expenses: $200,000 for road and sidewalk repairs, $66,440 for SAD 29, $63,217 for higher health insurance premiums and $58,284 to cover an increase in debt service for the road bond.
Spending adjustments will mean not changing salaries for department heads or non-union staff in 2010, only spending $200,000 for roads instead of a full mil ($267,000) and deferring major capital expenditures in 2010.
Councilor Paul Romanelli said he “would work to keep taxes flat and that Houlton was a diamond in the rough” due to its business friendly environment which contributes to the tax base.
Other business
The town treasurer was authorized to prepare a waiver of foreclosure of a tax lien on Matthew Ramsey’s property on First Street which Hazlett said was in Houlton’s best interest due to the poor condition of the trailer on leased land. He added that payment terms are being worked out.
The council approved a slight increase in eligibility levels for food stamps and housing assistance vouchers, approved a contract with Pine Tree Waste Services and proclaimed November as Adoption Awareness Month.
Sue Tortello said a Veterans Day ceremony would be held Wednesday, 11 a.m. in Monument Park. She encouraged residents to attend and acknowledge the contributions of men and women who have served the country.
The next council meeting will be held Monday, Nov. 23, 6:30 p.m. at the town office, 21 Water St.