By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

As Robert Peabody develops Bridgton’s municipal budget, the town manager finds himself trying to balance residents’ service level expectations, the fiscal impact of capital projects, catching up with items shelved for budgetary reasons during the Covid-19 pandemic, while keeping the tax rate affordable.

“It’s been challenging,” Peabody told the Select Board Monday to open their two-day budget review process. “It is my charge to provide the town with the services it requires and desires as cost effectively as possible. Doing so requires the balancing of competing needs, future planning, resource allocation and no small amount of gazing into the crystal ball.”

Before department heads pitched their budgets, Peabody noted a “healthy” Unassigned Fund Balance will allow the town to lower taxpayer burden. He will recommend using $600,000 to reduce taxes.

He noted that the proposed budget includes the following:

• $585,000 for paving and street reconstruction of Pond and Dugway Roads ($50,000 offset by Capital Projects Reserve).

• $60,000 for installation of a generator at the Bridgton Community Center, which functions as the town’s warming center when the need arises.

• $115,000 for Church Street sidewalk construction, plus a shared cost of $130,000 from CDBG funds (total estimated cost of the project is $244,150).

• $95,000 to complete Ham Complex Snack Shack (offset by $20,000 donation by the Chamber of Commerce, $54,938 from Moose Pond Land Trust, and $20,000 from Municipal Building Reserve). The work list includes siding, interior wallboard, replacement of doors (current ones do not meet code) and purchase of equipment such as freezer, refrigerator, fryolator and exhaust vent). An upstairs space could be finished off as a large meeting room, which could be used for coaching/officials’ clinics.

Peabody noted that administrators will be developing a master plan for the complex, which is needed when seeking grant money. The town is looking to develop two pickleball courts, as well as tennis courts/basketball court along with walking trails.

• $25,000 for four AC/heat units for the Town Hall.

The capital expenditures total $880,000 with a net tax impact of $605,062.

Peabody pointed out that estimated revenue at $4,610,521, which is a $48,056 decrease from last year. Proposed appropriations are estimated at $10,759,680, which is a 12% increase ($1,170,318) over last year. The amount raised by taxes is $6,149,159 for a 25% hike ($1,218,347).

The current tax rate is $15.20 per thousand valuation. Peabody estimated that the proposed town budget, along with a “flat” valuation figure and an expected hike in the school tax, Bridgton could be looking at a tax rate between $16 to $16.70 per thousand, meaning a property of $100,000 would see a tax hike between $80 to $150.

With that financial picture before them, the Select Board spent two days pouring over department budgets and heard pitches by administrators regarding wages, new positions and new equipment. There were many valid requests, but board members ultimately fell on the side of was the request a need or a want, that could be pushed to a future budget.

Here’s a snapshot of key departmental budget requests:

Cost of Living Adjustment — Peabody recommended 8.7% for non-union full-time and regular part-time employees. Union employees (Public Works and Police Department) wage adjustments are as approved in their respective collective bargaining agreements.

A year ago, the Select Board sided with several position salary hikes as job market adjustments.

The Select Board supported a 4% cost of living adjustment.

Recreation — This line generated the longest discussion of the Day 1 session. Rec Director Gary Colello proposed the addition of a second programmer position, citing the growth and needs of the pre/post school childcare and enrichment program.

Select Board member Paul Tworog raised the philosophical question of how much is too much regarding rec services and the costs associated with adding more programming? Is the growth of the department and increasing budget more than what taxpayers can afford, he questioned. The proposed rec budget is $749,230. Offsetting revenues (fees and funds from Salmon Point) reduces the line to $516,180. Additional salary costs push the figure to $589,905.

“There is a substantial dollar increase in this department,” Tworog said. “The goal of the Select Board is to balance programming and what taxpayers can pay.”

While the development of childcare programming (80 to 85 enrolled) was a blessing during the pandemic, Tworog noted that someone in the private sector looking to offer similar services might be hard pressed to compete with the rates offered by the Rec Department.

Collelo defended expansion of Rec programming by pointing out many services were developed to meet a need in the community, and such offerings attract young families to live in Bridgton. He added a vibrant Rec program is a key component to economic development, and keeping kids “busy” is an effective tool to prevent delinquent behavior.

On the financial side, Collelo pointed out that user fees help fund many children programs, while money lost by giving out scholarships in the past can be recouped through state reimbursements. He also noted that Rec is a seven-day per week department, and as participation grows, the need for oversight in the form of more staff is required.

Peabody asked Tworog what programs he wants to cut?

Tworog suggested cutting the second programmer position, and take a more cautious approach when considering future program additions. He said it should be a question of priorities and ultimately where is Rec headed?

Collelo had requested that the Deputy Director’s pay be moved from hourly to salary, but if the Select Board decided to stay with just one programmer, he would pull that idea since the DD would likely need to continue to work overtime, and should be compensated.

Collelo tries to use one staff member for eight children grades K-2, and 1 staffer to 12 at the teen level.

The Select Board voted 4-1 (Tworog against) for the proposed budget, with the change of a 4% COLA.

Public Works — Public Services Director David Madsen gave a quick rundown of some upcoming work:

The “decorative” crosswalks on Main Street will again be repaired, but this time using a roll-on epoxy, which should last longer. Town workers will observe the application process this year, and will take on future reapplications, thus reducing overall costs. Those crosswalks “take a beating” from plowing.

“People love the way it looks, it’s attractive,” Madsen said. “Drivers also notice them right off.”

Madsen added that all other crosswalk lines will be painted white. “Due to construction, we weren’t able to do some painting last year, but it will be all done this year,” he added.

While the town is close to 95% complete with wastewater work along Portland Road, Madsen offered up that Maine DOT is not expecting to complete work along that stretch until 2025.

The town is committed to installing lights on Willett Road to address safety concerns voiced by citizens, who walk along that stretch. Pole location has been determined, now the wait is on Central Maine Power.

Code Enforcement — Code Officer Brenda Day will have a new tool available to check possible shoreline violations. The town will contract with FireFly Media to provide visual footage of shoreline properties taken by a drone. Baseline footage will be shot, and if Day receives complaints of possible illegal work done at lakefront properties, the drone will be sent out to get updated photography.

Day also pitched a pay hike. Not receiving a market adjustment last year, Day did receive a 6% COLA increase. She had instead put in a request for a department vehicle, but it was cut. Day considered proposing the addition of another staff member (some area towns have two code officers), but she “didn’t want to do it right now.” Instead, Day proposed a $1.43 per hour increase (she currently is paid $30.36).

Select Board member Paul Tworog pointed out that the pay hike request had not been included in the department’s proposed budget before them. While Board Chair Carmen Lone praised Day’s work and commitment, she was not ready to do market adjustments this year. Select Board members Bob McHatton, Carrye Castleman-Ross and Ken Murphy supported the budget requests.

Next: A look at the Police and Fire Department requests.