The Kennebec Journal

FARMINGDALE

March 22

Voters will decide on new fiscal year

BY JOYCE GRONDIN, Correspondent

FARMINGDALE -- Voters will be asked to change the town's fiscal year to run from July 1 through June 30, so the town can operate on the same fiscal year as Regional School Unit 2, Kennebec County and the state.

The annual Town Meeting is scheduled for at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 27, in the theater at Hall-Dale High School.

"The problem is getting money in to run the town eight months after the fiscal year has started," said Chair of Selectmen Gene Moreau of the Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 fiscal year. "We can't really determine our actual tax rate until July."

The property tax rate is currently assessed at $13 per $1,000 valuation, based on 80 percent actual valuation.

Moreau said he is concerned that taxes may increase because of a decrease in state revenue to the school district and town.

Last year's budget was $1,037,684, with a surplus of $499,765. Moreau said the town has a surplus every year.

The proposed budget this year is $1,001,590.

Moreau said the change in the fiscal year is probably the most significant of the 57 articles listed on the warrant in the town of Farmingdale's annual report. If it passes, it would be effective July 1, 2011.

Other articles of importance, he said, are clarifying the duties of the animal control officer to include all domesticated animals, because the present ordinance only addresses dogs; spending $220,000 on plowing, snow removal, sanding and upkeep of roads; spending $36,000 on street sweeping; and approving more than $100,000 for the Fire Department, code enforcement, dispatch, constable, and Enhanced 911 services.

There is only one candidate running for election this year.

Incumbent Selectman Rickey McKenna is running unopposed.

The election will take place in the Hall-Dale Middle School gymnasium from noon to 7 p.m. Friday, March 26.