New
Gloucester passes budget Says 'no' to additional law enforcement
By Elizabeth Prata
New Gloucester-By the end of the three-hour Annual
Town Meeting, there had been lots of talk, plenty
of budget scrutiny, and some contention. Citizens
passed almost everything as presented, though, and
even had time to break for cookies and punch.
The $2,461,415 municipal budget represents a $47,490
increase over last year. Left, Selectmen Kevin
Sullivan. The Monument: Prata photo
Citizens questioned everything from a $1,000 cable
television expense (for equipment) to $900 per year
in rental income (from the New Gloucester News) to
a $55,000 highway truck (buy used, you can get a good
deal at Motor City, the Selectmen were told.)
One proposed expenditure for $6,000 for a Volunteer
Recognition Banquet at Pineland was removed for consideration
by amendment. Resident Edgar Wilcox said, "I
think we ought to spend $6,000 on a party for taxpayers."
This comment earned a hearty round of applause and
hoots of laughter. Below, Wilcox. The Monument:
Prata photo
The recent town revaluation had caused some heartburn
for residents. One citizen said that his property
value increased 400%, others whose properties had
been valued at higher rates called for fiscal caution
in passing the budget. Carl Wilcox said that even
though the budget reflected a relatively flat tax
rate from last year, that expenditures were up overall,
and that effects from eh revaluation would not be
known until later in the year.
One missing revenue that Carmel Morin pointed out
was the revenue line for the rental income from the
Memorial School portable. Last year the Town had received
$18,000 in revenue, this year the line was blank.
Morin serves on the SAD 15 School Board, and said
that "It's in our budget for New Gloucester to
receive the money. But I don't see the revenue in
New Gloucester's
budget to accept it."
Roy Lowe said that there were many people in town
who receive their social security checks after the
third of the month and asked Selectmen to consider
moving the date for the date that taxes are due to
after the third, instead of the first of April and
October. Morin proposed an amendment stating such,
and it passed. The new date to pay taxes will be October
and April 8. Left, Selectmen Stephanie Bryan. The
Monument: Prata photo
The Selectmen had proposed contracting with a law
enforcement agency for up to $115,000 per year. Citizens
were generally opposed to the proposal, reflected
in a survey in which 68% of a total of 436 respondents
had indicated they were satisfied with their current
law enforcement coverage.
Cumberland County sheriffs and State Police Troopers
routinely patrol the region. Patrols are paid through
state and county taxes. The contract would have dedicated
one officer to New Gloucester for 40 hours per week.
When Article 18, the law enforcement contract, came
before the voters, initially no one would make a motion
so debate could begin. Selectmen Chair Steve Libby
moved that the article be accepted. Another silence
ensued, after which Selectmen Stephanie Bryan seconded
it. Right, Chair Steve Libby. The Monument: Prata
photo
Roy Lowe said that the article as written may be improper.
"The article does not make reservations for where
the money is to be raised from," he pointed out.
Moderator
Don Libby and Town Manager Rosemary Kulow conferred,
with Libby eventually agreeing that the motion was
improper. Left, Kulow and Libby conferring. The
Monument: Prata photo
How to dispose of the article was the next topic,
with Carmel Morin proposing to table it until next
year's meeting, during which time a solution could
be found. Alan Rich noted that if it was tabled the
article would have to return exactly as written, only
prolonging the problem, so Morin withdrew his motion
to table. Finally A. Wayne Cobb said, "We all
know what's going to happen. Let's vote, it will be
defeated, and then we can go home."
After about 40 minutes of debate, a citizen moved
the question and the motion was seconded. A 'move
the question' motion means that all debate will stop.
The motion to move the question is not debatable.
However, a 2/3 majority must vote yes to move the
question for it to pass. If passed, moving the question
would stop debate and citizens would have to go directly
to a vote on the issue at hand.
Moving the question passed, infuriating George Carmen
and others, who had been prepared to contribute their
comments.
The law enforcement contract proposal was defeated
by a vote of 6 yes to 85 no. The meeting was concluded
after Elderberry Lane was accepted as a town way,
and at 10:00 p.m. New Gloucester citizens streamed
into the rainy night having accomplished a year's
worth of business together in Memorial School Gym.
Gloucester's
budget to accept it."
Moderator
Don Libby and Town Manager Rosemary Kulow conferred,
with Libby eventually agreeing that the motion was
improper. Left, Kulow and Libby conferring. The
Monument: Prata photo