Greenville budgets could increase mill rate

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

 GREENVILLE – Residents of Greenville are facing the same financial challenges as many communities of similar size.

 The student population is decreasing, so both tuition income from unorganized territories and state aid to education are down.

 The town’s solid waste expenses are up and many roads are in bad shape due to the harsh winter.

 In both cases, employee benefit costs are up due to increases in medical insurance and workers’ compensation.

 As a result, the combined school and municipal budgets – if passed intact at the June 1 annual town meeting – will hike Greenville’s mill rate to $16.20 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, up by $1.50 from last year.

 A 2-1/2 hour public hearing was held on May 13 where residents could question both the Greenville Board of Selectmen and school committee members. While the turnout was relatively small – partially due to parents attending the spring concert at the school – many who spoke were upset with the figures.

 Union 60 Superintendent Dave Morrill said that while expenses in the proposed $3.5 million school budget are up by $130,018, revenues will be down by $223,106. So the overall increase to taxpayers will be $353,124.

 Increases in the school budget include the addition of a math-science teacher to assist students in meeting the new proficiency-based standards required by the state. “Students will now need four years of science and four years of math,” Morrill said. “Previously, you only needed three years of science andof math to graduate.”

 Morrill also pointed out that number grades are going to be a thing of the past. “You now have to show proficiency in all these subjects, not just get a 70 on a test,” he said.

 The new school budget also includes more hours for speech therapy and the restoration of the Jobs for Maine Graduates pProgram.

 But resident Dennis Bortis said that the actual budget increase is actually around $607,000 because $254,000 is being carried forward from the current figures. “That’s about a 20 percent increase,” said Bortis. “Why isn’t this being presented to the community this way?”

 Both Morrill and school committee member Leslie Bilodeau said that a carry-forward amount is common in school budget calculations, and Bilodeau added that the current recommendation would drop the balance in the account down to an unusually-low $35,000. “For three years, there have been no increases in taxes,” Bilodeau said. “However, salary, benefits and expenses have gone up about 4-1/2 percent each year – and that’s where we are now.”

 Voters last year approved a school budget that included a $323,000 carry-forward.

 The Greenville municipal budget drew fewer inquiries as Town Manager John Simko outlined the reasons for the $89,507 increase in the $1.43 million budget.

 Some of the hikes include a projected increase in sand for next winter ($24,585), summer roads ($15,360) and repairs to the public works garage ($3,813).

 The police department budget is up by $9,026, mostly for reserve officers to fill needed shifts, but the overall public safety budget is up by only $5,672.

 Employee benefits are up by $32,497, mostly due to increases in medical insurance and workers’ compensation, Simko said.

 Solid waste expenses are up by $41,062, mostly because of changes in the new contract with Moosehead Rubbish and erosion control at the landfill. But Simko pointed out that revenue is also expected to increase in the solid waste account.

 Last year, the town used $257,000 in unexpended revenue to offset the budget increase; and this year, selectmen have recommended $175,000.

 Resident Janet Chasse said that her main concern was that property taxes have gone up “50 percent in the last 10 years. I think that both boards have been irresponsible with their budgets. I know there are cuts, but you guys don’t seem to have the gumption to make them.”

 But Selectman Geno Murray defended the budgets. “I think that’s disrespectful,” said Murray. “Every decision that was made by this board was vetted. Many of these expenses are mandated. I pay taxes just like you do, and I don’t like to see the increases, either.”

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