By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — Is somebody barking up the wrong tree?

The majority of citizens at Naples Annual Town Meeting rejected the budget for the Animal Control Officer.

There was a bit of snag — in how to proceed without an approved budget, especially since the agreement to fund the position involves three other towns.

On Thursday night, Naples citizens voted, 24-55, to fund the ACO’s budget. Three people abstained. Therefore, the warrant article failed.

Currently, Naples is part of an inter-local contract with the towns of Raymond, Casco and Harrison to split the cost of the Animal Control Officer. The fiscal year begins July 1.

Immediately following the vote, there was a 10-minute recess so some research could be done on how to proceed. Moving forward, a special town meeting will be scheduled to address the animal control budget, according to Naples Town Manager Jason Rogers.

Until that point in the evening, things were going smoothly at the Naples Town Meeting, which was held on May 16 at the Lake Region High School. Eight-five people registered to vote and picked up a hand-held clicker; however, throughout the evening the vote counts usually totaled between 80 and 82.

Naples Chairman Ted Shane made a motion to create a voting block of items that were housekeeping issues. That made quick business of Warrant Article 4 through 15.

Of all the Warrant Articles, No. 18, the TIF-funded Project & Services as well as No. 30, the Animal Control Officer led to the more lengthy discussions.

In fact, several departmental budgets passed without any comment.

Then, when Article 30 (To fund the ACO position for $44,117) was on the floor, a person in the audience asked if someone from the Naples Budget Committee would explain why the committee voted against it.

After all, that was why TIF-funded Projects, Warrant Article 18, was discussed. The budget committee did not recommend it.

So, Budget Committee Member Jim Grattelo fielded the questions, garnering the blessings of Chairman Bob Caron II, who was a half-dozen rows behind Grattelo in the auditorium.

“We voted against it for two reasons,” Grattelo began, “Number 1.) There is $5,000 in the budget for the old bottle museum, and the ACO works four days a week and covers three other towns. We didn’t think the ACO needed one building. Number 2.) Back when I started as a selectman, it was 7 days a week job and now the animal control officer works Monday through Thursday. As an animal lover, I totally feel it is unacceptable. We voted not to do that.”

The budget committee did not want Naples to foot the bill to provide a space in a building that need repairs for a shared ACO when no other town is doing that, he said.

Before voting was called, Chairman Shane asked what would happen if the article was voted down.

Naples Town Clerk Michelle Thibodeau answered his question.

“We would have to revisit it. By law, we have to have an animal control officer,” she said.

Town Manager Rogers added, “More specifically, if it gets voted down, we could continue to operate . . . until we can bring it back to the town for the amount. Animal control would continue to exist.”

The initial vote was 24-55-3.

“It is defeated now,” Moderator Penn Worcester said.

The vote was closed. Then, there was 10-minute recess to research the matter. Following the recess, Warrant Article 30 was on the floor for a revote.

“If the article passes, we will fund as presented. If the article is defeated, it will be defeated and it will be visited at a special town meeting. In the meantime, it [the ACO] will operate at 25 percent to meet our contractual obligations,” he said.

The revote was, 30-51-1.

Earlier in the evening, TIF funding was the topic when resident Doug Bogdan asked why the budget committee refrained from recommending it. Grattelo stepped to the microphone and gave the reasoning behind the committee’s vote.

“Due to last reval of the town, there has been a $2,000,000 surplus. At the [joint board] meeting, a motion was made to add money to TIF fund, which the budget committee found unnecessary,” he said.

Grattelo put forth an amendment to reduce line item by $135,000 and reverse the vote made by the Select Board in April.

Naples Selectman Colin Brackett, who also served on the budget committee, disagreed with the approach of reducing the TIF, and expressed a belief that the town should be setting aside money for future expenses.

“If you reduce that line item, there isn’t enough money to cover the TIF debt. It is $300,000. It won’t cover the debt,” Brackett said.

Select Board member Kevin Rogers explained the vote in early April.

“The reason I suggested increasing it is we are currently only capturing the amount to cover bond obligations. The TIFF fund was designed to increase economic development in Naples. We have reserves. But we have major projects coming in the future,” he said. “It expires in 10 years. We should be capturing what we can with that,”

Among the major projects that could be paid for through TIF: A streetlight at the intersection of routes 11 and 302.

Budget Committee member Jim Turpin made certain people were aware: “If we increase the captured TIF fund, it causes the mil rate to go up.”

Caron II sought clarification of how much surplus is in the TIF fund.

According to Rogers, $1.3 million is the surplus.

The amendment to reduce the line item by $135,000 was defeated, 27-56, with one abstention.

Warrant Article 18 passed, 53-26-1 as presented.

There were lighter moments during the meeting. The citizens voted, 65-12, to support Community groups & events.

Almost immediately, Priscilla Kyle stood up.

“I am president of the Edes Falls Sewing Circle, and I just wanted to thank you for giving us the money for our new roof,” she said.

Chairman Shane joked with the outspoken resident, saying, “Priscilla, you’ve been so quiet I didn’t know you were here.”