2013 Town Meetings

March 19

$1.8 million budget proposal up for vote in Jackman on Thursday

By Rachel Ohm rohm@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

JACKMAN -- Residents will vote on a proposed $1.8 million spending budget to come from property tax, excise tax, surplus and other money when they gather on Thursday for the annual Town Meeting.

The 2013 proposed budget is $705,206 more than the 2012 budget of $1,140, 374. The spending increase is largely the result of additional revenue from a grant the town received for airport improvements from the Federal Aviation Association, Town Manager Kathy MacKenzie said.

Elections are scheduled for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Jackman Municipal Building. The business portion of the Town Meeting is to be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Forest Hills Consolidated School.

In 2012, the town collected $216,908 from property taxes. This year, it is asking for $261,640, or $44,732 more. It is only $8,193 more than the 2011 appropriation though, MacKenzie said.

One reason for the increase is the expected effect of Gov. Paul LePage's proposed cuts to revenue sharing, MacKenzie said. Jackman could lose $20,000 in state money between July and December, she said.

The town is continuing to make improvements to the Newton Field airport and plans to spend $968,300 on the project. About 90 percent of the money will come from a Federal Aviation Association grant, MacKenzie said. Five percent will come from the Maine Department of Transportation and 5 percent will come from local taxes, she said.

Residents will be asked to consider one item on which selectmen and the Budget Committee have no recommendation. It is a request from a resident to make Birch Street, a private residential street in a subdivision, a road that is eligible for town road maintenance.

The amount of money it would cost for road maintenance, specifically winter plowing, on the street has not been determined but would be voted on at a later date, MacKenzie said.

Residents will also vote on whether to approve the following line items: $136,641 for town administration, $120,733 for public works, $126,144 for the transfer station and waste disposal, $113,285 for community services and $43,300 for the Fire Department.

Rachel Ohm -- 612-2368
rohm@mainetoday.com

Were you interviewed for this story? If so, please fill out our accuracy form

Send question/comment to the editors




Further Discussion

Here at KJonline.com we value our readers and are committed to growing our community by encouraging you to add to the discussion. To ensure conscientious dialogue we have implemented a strict no-bullying policy. To participate, you must follow our Terms of Use.

Questions about the article? Add them below and we’ll try to answer them or do a follow-up post as soon as we can. Technical problems? Email them to us with an exact description of the problem. Make sure to include:
  • Type of computer or mobile device your are using
  • Exact operating system and browser you are viewing the site on (TIP: You can easily determine your operating system here.)


Most…