SCARBOROUGH – The April 28 Scarborough Town Council public hearing on the proposed school and municipal budgets took less than an hour, with speakers given three minutes each asking for reconsideration, urging the council to “stay strong,” to cut more, or pushing for higher taxes, specifically to aid schools.

At present the combined budgets add up to $64.8 million, leading to a 3.9 percent increase in property taxes or 48 cents per $1,000 of property value.

The council planned to finish up the debate and vote on the budget Wednesday, May 5, after the Current’s deadline. A school budget validation referendum is scheduled for Tuesday, May 11. Budgets are scheduled to take effect with the beginning of the town’s fiscal year on July 1.

Previously, the two budgets were projected to increase the town’s tax rate of $12.15 per $1,000 of property value by as much as 55 cents, resulting in a new tax rate of $12.70, an increase of 4.53 percent. However, with a $400,000 board-approved transfer to the school operating budget, the tax rate has been reduced.

Also, with $153,000 in unexpected savings from debt payments, the Scarborough Board of Education has restored five of the 34 job cuts in the new school budget.

Still, during Wednesday’s introductory recap Town Manager Tom Hall pointed to a 19 percent decrease in state aid for the School Department as the big challenge ahead.

Kate Dulac and Deborah DiDomincus with the Southern Maine Agency on Aging asked for restoration of $5, 000 that had been cut in their municipal funding. The funding, they said, would support training for thousands of unpaid workers caring for those with dementia and other social programs involving the elderly.

However, several people, including resident Bruce Bell, asked the council to hold the line or consider further cuts. Bell used his three minutes to propose a “zero increase budget without eliminating one teacher or one program.” Bell had found nearly $1.4 million in cuts, including cutting copiers in order to reduce the use of paper and reducing the number of school buses, which he said far exceed the number of drivers.

Another resident, Scott C. Berube, said he spoke for the many residents who are struggling in this economy and who were not able to be there. He suggested many who were there were speaking on behalf of their clients and urged the council to “stay strong.”

“Money doesn’t buy excellence,” said Berube, adding that the private sector and parents could step in to help pick up costs

Most of those present came to speak on schools, primarily as a reflection of what Scarborough is as a community. Christine Kukka, parent coordinator of Saving Excellence in Scarborough Schools, said “nothing defines a city more than a budget crisis.” She went on to speak of “grave concerns” with a budget that cuts staff trained to deal with such issues as child abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence and that elsewhere increases by $30,000 the police violent crime task force.

Parent and Scarborough resident Helen Rundel worried about further cuts causing a decline in the reputation of the Scarborough school system and suggested taxes should be raised.

“We can do better,” she said. “We need to keep investing.”

Cheryl Greely agreed, and said she currently sees Scarborough schools as lagging behind its surrounding communities. Greely said that more detail in the school budget would be helpful, as well as letting people know where it is “we want to be, as we’re going forward.”

Adam Saltz and Heather Carrier, two Scarborough High School seniors spoke for “more not less” health positions in the school department. Saltz said his is the first generation in history looking at a decrease in life expectancy.