Vassalboro select board receives satisfactory news on finances

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro select board members got satisfactory news about town finances at their May 15 meeting.

Auditor Ron Smith, head of RHR Smith, Auditors, in Buxton, said the audit for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2023, is done, and the audit for the year that ended June 30, 2024, will be shared in draft form within a week.

Vassalboro’s surplus account, about $1.7 million as of June 30, 2024, meets recommended standards; it would keep the town running for 90 days in a financial emergency. The Vassalboro school system’s separate surplus is also adequate, Smith said.

Smith was followed by Matt Weaver, from Damariscotta-based First National Wealth Management, who reported that Vassalboro’s investments are doing well so far this year, despite financial uncertainties.

“Overall, we’re please with how the portfolio’s performed,” he summarized.

Weaver recommended no changes in Vassalboro’s conservative financial strategy.

Much of the May 15 meeting was spent re-discussing the draft personnel policy with three town employees. Select board members heard their comments and answered their questions.

In other business, the public works crew was complimented on one project and authorized to go ahead with another.

Select board member Michael Poulin and Town Manager Aaron Miller praised the almost-finished pavilion at Eagle Park, on Route 32 (Main Street), just north of East Vassalboro Village. Public works employee Shawn Bragg said while the crew was working on the roof, a group of bicyclists stopped and had lunch there.

Conservation Commission members plan to add picnic tables made at Vassalboro’s Maine Adirondack Chairs, on Holman Day Road.

Miller said the school department had asked to have the public works crew help with a to-be-planned project to lessen congestion when parents pick up students at the end of the school day. Select board members authorized use of town employees’ time and town materials, if the work is approved by relevant state departments (transportation and, board member Chris French suggested, environmental protection).

Miller proposed taking advantage of an offer of a 150-hour summer intern to help in the town office, from the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine. The only cost to the town, he said, would be to send the person to an August workshop. Select board members approved by consensus.

French said a resident asked about mooring a boat in China Lake, near the East Vassalboro landing. Miller advised talking with Kennebec Water District officials, who are concerned about protecting the lake that is their water source.

French raised three issues for future discussion: updating town ordinances, updating the town’s TIF (Tax Increment Financing) document and enlarging the select board. He has repeatedly recommended a five-person select board; perhaps, he suggested, the question could be put to voters in November.

The next regular Vassalboro select board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 29. The preceding Monday, May 26, town functions will be closed for the Memorial Day holiday.