WINDHAM – Residents approved a $13,776,208 budget at a town meeting this morning.
The budget calls for contracting with Cumberland County for emergency dispatch services, a controversial move that led to a fairly close 46-37 vote to approve the budget.
Town Council chair Bill Tracy said the contract will save the town $136,000 for the first fiscal year, which begins July 2, and up to $225,000 in subsequent years. The move also allowed the town council to restore a deputy fire chief’s position, which had been cut in earlier versions of the budget, which is drawn up by the council and put before the town meeting for final approval.
Tracy said the muncipal side of the budget will raise taxes by about $26 for a $200,000 home. He said the tax rate for the school and municipal budgets will be set in August.
Resident David Tobin argued against the budget, saying he thinks the contract with the county for dispatch may not save the town much money in subsequent years. He also said the council should not have elimated the position of deputy director of public works, noting that the deputy director acts as a foreman on town projects and also drives a snow plow route in the winter.
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