Parkman municipal budget slightly lower than last year

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    PARKMAN — Residents of Parkman will meet on Saturday, March 21 at the Grange hall at 10:30 a.m. to consider a municipal budget of approximately $262,000 or $1,300 less than voters appropriated in 2014.
    But the gross budget may be up to $8,000 higher due to an increase in the Piscataquis County tax and an anticipated hike in the town’s share of the School Administrative District 4 budget.

    The new county tax bill is $83,778 or $6,190 higher than last year. In 2014, the town paid $484,657 to the school district.
    Candidates for office are nominated and elected from the floor, but an article on the town meeting warrant will authorize the board of selectmen to “gather information regarding secret ballot elections” for future municipal elections.
    Another article asks voters to approve an amendment on the makeup of the town’s planning board.
    Currently, the ordinance specifies that “not more than two non-residents of the town may serve as a member or associate member.” However, the new proposal would strike out that provision and require that all planning board members be town residents.
    This year, Selectman Patricia Johnson, Planning Board members Carl O’Donnell and Mark Ceppetelli and Harvey Memorial Library Trustee Cynthia O’Donnell have indicated that they’ll accept another term in office, according to Town Clerk Brenda Hartford. Johnson currently services as chairperson of the three-member board.
    SAD 4 Director Donna Littlefield’s term also expires, but Hartford said that Littlefield wasn’t certain whether she was running for reelection.
    Parkman’s population is 833.
    Major items on the 38-article warrant include $120,000 for winter road maintenance, including $10,000 from undesignated revenue; $36,500 from taxation plus any funds received from the Local Road Assistance Program for paving; $14,000 for fire protection from the Guilford Fire Department and $1,650 from the Cambridge Fire Department; $50,000 including $15,000 from undesignated funds for solid waste disposal; $10,280 for assessing services to Hamlin Associates; and $20,500 for general government expenses including $15,500 from undesignated funds.
    Hartford said that the town currently has $123,458 in undesignated funds and the mil rate is $11.90 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
    This year’s town report is dedicated to the Parkman Grange, which observes its 125th anniversary this year. In addition to being the site of the annual town meeting, the Grange will also host a chicken pot pie dinner on March 21 from 12-1 p.m. 
    The first public supper recorded by the Grange was held in October 1890; and by 1921, the Parkman Grange “was the largest social organization in the community,” according to the town report.
    The original Grange hall was destroyed by fire in the 1950s but rebuilt, thanks to a great deal of community support and fund-raising.