Vassalboro select board, department heads hash over budget

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro select board members and leaders of town departments and groups discussed the proposed 2025-26 budget for more than 90 minutes Feb. 20 before moving on to the rest of the select board agenda.

Town Manager Aaron Miller presented the third draft budget he prepared after a Feb. 12 workshop (see the Feb. 20 issue of The Town Line, p. 2). Some minor changes were in response to earlier discussions; some reflected updated information.

Public Works Director Brian Lajoie and board members talked about costs and timing for replacing town trucks. Lajoie described remaining work on the new storage building on the public works lot and plans to pave more of the lot.

Lajoie had included two dirt roads, Town Farm Road and Dow Road, in his proposed 2025-26 paving budget. Dirt roads need extra winter and spring maintenance, he explained.

Select board chairman Frederick “Rick” Denico, Jr., and member Chris French were not persuaded paving would save enough money to be worth doing.

Fire Chief Walker Thompson argued strongly for a $5,000 item in the $112,622 budget request, a stipend for assistant chief Bob Williams. Thompson listed the time Williams spends on administrative work, in addition to fire calls, and the miles he puts on his personal vehicle as reasons taxpayers should be asked to cover part of his expenses.

Michael Vashon added that Williams’ reviews of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) grant applications had helped the department win a half-million dollars in grant funding.

When the state Department of Labor did a recent surprise inspection, the Vassalboro fire department got no demerits, Thompson said, partly because of Williams’ work. A continued good record could lead to future savings on insurance.

Recreation Director Karen Stankis asked select board members to clarify her job description. She shared information on the programs, not limited to sports, that she runs or oversees for residents of all ages, and suggested additional programs and facilities, like an ice rink and a playground for younger children.

Librarian Brian Stanley provided information on library costs and services to support a requested budget increase, from $71,000 this year to $74,000 next year. Town funding has never covered expenses, he pointed out; trustees fund-raise aggressively and seek grants.

Meanwhile, unavoidable costs like salaries and insurance rise annually. Stanley would like to be able to offer increased staff benefits, and to expand weekly library hours from 38 to 44.

Library services go well beyond lending books. Stanley’s lengthy list included providing free Wi-Fi access from the parking lot; connecting residents with help with state and federal paperwork; presenting community programs; and providing meeting space for local organizations, private groups and sometimes town boards and committees.

John Melrose, for the Vassalboro Historical Society, expanded on the request for town funding for a part-time curator. Select board member Michael Poulin was doubtful about it at the Feb. 12 workshop, pointing out that the town is responsible for maintaining the VHS headquarters building, but not for operations.

Melrose said if residents are to take advantage of the society’s offerings, they need to have resources digitized and to have more opportunities to visit and programs to attend, matters a curator would promote.

“You just can’t do ’em all with volunteers,” Melrose said.

Select board member Chris French recommended leaving the $10,000 increase (to $15,000) in the draft Historical Society budget line for discussion with the budget committee.

Including the estimated Kennebec County tax, the draft 2025-26 municipal budget now stands at a little under $4.05 million, an increase of almost $300,000 from the current year.

The annual school budget is separate from and larger than the municipal budget. The Vassalboro School Board has scheduled a budget workshop for 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, at the school.