SOUTH BERWICK, Maine � The Town Council approved a municipal budget of $7,055,014 for fiscal year 2019-2020 at its April 9 meeting.
The budget represents a 5.23 percent increase, or $384,592, over the current fiscal year, but a significant portion of the increase represents an additional $100,000 in state revenue sharing and $183,000 in projected town revenues.
To meet its goal of no increase in municipal tax rates, the budget calls for a limited uptick in operations by $106,000, or 1.5 percent.
The budget will be submitted to the town�s annual meeting for approval by voters May 21 at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall.
Several line items have major increases. In particular, the town�s Police Department would receive a boost of $165,032 to fund costs associated with the new station such as water, sewer and internet. The station on Route 236 near Academy Street was formerly on the lower level of Town Hall.
Town employee benefits would increase by $59,634 to meet increased costs associated with health insurance, retirement, workers� compensation and similar expenses. Debt payments will rise by $266,755, in part, to meet the bond payment for the police station, which will be $278,000 for the upcoming fiscal year.
Decreases in the recommended budget include a $5,179 reduction for the planning department, realized partly from charging housing subdivision planning to owners of such developments. There would be a $3,650 decrease in town administration since facility services will no longer be shared with the Police Department.
Many other categories in the budget such as emergency and rescue, the Conservation Commission, street lights and water assessment will be level funded.
The only change to the proposed budget came after South Berwick Cemetery Association members objected to a $2,000 decrease in the budget�s social/civic contributions category. Members voiced concerns that a decrease would impair maintenance of several municipal cemeteries. In response, the council approved nearly $2,500 from its LD 1 cap to ensure adequate care of the cemeteries.