The Farmington budget committee is recommending maintaining current funding for the library, which is $5,000 more than selectmen are suggesting.
Neither panel has endorsed the nonprofit Farmington Public Library’s request for $146,666, which is up 2 percent over last year’s funding. Selectmen propose cutting $8,000 from that request.
The budget committee agreed with selectmen on all accounts other than the library, said Town Manager Richard Davis. The eight-member budget committee voted Wednesday night to recommend a $5.25 million budget, up 4.5 percent more than the previous year.
Voters will decide the final town budget Monday, March 23, at 7 p.m. at the annual Town Meeting held at the Community Center at 127 Middle St. Attendees will be presented with requests from the different departments and contractors, the recommendations by selectmen and recommendations by the budget committee.
Last year, proposed cuts to the library were a hot topic after selectmen attempted to shave off $2,800 from their requested budget but the budget committee recommended increasing their request by $5,000. Voters eventually approved the $5,000 increase.
The money requested this year would pay for part of the total $246,277 library budget. In a letter to the town, the library staff said the increase represents cost-of-living increases and pay changes.
The budget committee and the selectmen also both recommended cutting $83,000 from the requested road improvement money.
The town is halfway through a five-year road work plan that is set to rebuild the dilapidated Porter Hill Road this spring for $148,315.
The work is paid for partly by the state and the town, although the state funding is slated to be cut by $14,676 this year. The road budget also proposed raising the town’s portion from $133,000 to $233,000 to help pay for projects such as the costly rebuild of Porter Hill Road.
Selectman Josh Bell previously recommended cutting the town’s contribution to the project from $233,000 to $150,000 to lower the immediate tax burden of the project. Davis noted at the time that the cuts will mean more delays in fixing the roads and the move may not be supported by the voters.
Kaitlin Schroeder — 861-9252
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