Rough winter and road bond hikes Dexter budget

By Mike Lange

Staff Writer

 DEXTER — Last year’s prolonged winter took its toll on Dexter’s public works budget and town officials also took out a $750,000 road improvement bond to catch up on long-neglected repairs.

 This year, taxpayers will feel a slight pinch with a 4.4 percent projected municipal budget increase.

 The Dexter Town Council will hold a public hearing on Thursday, July 8 and will take action on the $4.34 million budget later in the meeting.

 Town Manager Shelley Watson, in her message to the council and taxpayers, quipped that the “magic money fairy has not appeared to solve all the financial woes” for the community.

 In addition to the increases in public works, public safety and other accounts, the town’s share of the School Administrative District 46 budget is projected to rise about 3 percent.

 Watson pointed out that there are a number of problems with town facilities that “need to be addressed sooner rather than later” including moisture in the Abbott Memorial Library and replacement windows, electric outlets and other issues in the Morrison Memorial building where the municipal offices are located.

 The clock on the building’s tower, nicknamed Nancy, will also need some work in the future, Watson added.

 Watson said she would also like to see more improvements at Crosby Park now that the community playground is completed. “We need to consider rehabilitation of the gazebo and enhancing the area further for family enjoyment,” Watson said.

 New playground equipment was acquired after four years of fundraising by a community group and the final pieces were installed in late spring.

 The road bond was approved by the council last October and will be paid back over a 10-year period. There was little controversy over the expenditure after former Road Commissioner Mike Delaware estimated that it would cost at least $718,000 to make the necessary repairs.

 Other items on Thursday’s town council agenda include proposed changes to the Human Resource Committee and Board of Appeals bylaws; change in fees for land use and shoreland zoning applications; and an amendment to the land use ordinance.

 Councilors will also set the town’s mill rate and due date for property taxes.

 Also on the agenda are the sale of tax-acquired property at 15 St. Francis St. and the formation of a Police Advisory Committee.

 The July 8 meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the council chambers and the proposed budget, agenda and minutes from past council meetings are posted at www.dextermaine.org.