SMITHFIELD — Residents at the annual Town Meeting on Saturday night agreed to allow selectmen to look into changing the town’s fiscal calendar to align with state, county and school district schedules.

Town Clerk Linda French said there was plenty of discussion on whether to change the fiscal year, now Feb. 1 to Jan. 31, to one that runs from July 1 to June 30.

The article does not need further action by voters. The selectmen have the authority to change the fiscal year and will study the idea in coming months, French said.

The municipal budget was passed Saturday night at $724,088, down slightly from last year’s $730,100.

The town’s property tax rate, now $16.05 for every $1,000 in assessed value, could drop slightly, based on spending approved Saturday, said Nicole Clark, administrative assistant to the Board of Selectmen.

Clark added that the final property tax rate will be set after the school budget is approved and Gov. Paul LePage’s proposal to suspend municipal revenue sharing temporarily is voted on.

Advertisement

If the two-year suspension of municipal revenue sharing is passed, she said, the town could lose $70,000 in funding.

Spending articles included $123,451 to pay all town officials and employees and $94,267 for other general expenses.

Smithfield residents also agreed to spend $24,411 this year as the fifth of 10 payments on the municipal building reconstruction bond. They also voted to raise $73,135 from taxes and $26,424 from the road block grant to pay the first of eight payments on the paving bond.

Road work was done last year on Quaker Lane, and East Pond, Warren Hill and Pine Tree Camp roads.

Voters also agreed to spend $1,500 for the Smithfield Moonshiners Inc. snowmobile club, in spite of a negative recommendation from the Budget Committee.

Residents also agreed to raise $150,053 and to take $2,400 from surplus for winter roads, including sand and salt purchases and snow plowing.

French said 52 people attended the meeting.

Doug Harlow — 612-2367
dharlow@centralmaine.com

 


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.