GORHAM – A change to the health insurance plan for town employees and a reduction in hours at the town clerk’s office could help offset new expenses that are driving an increase in next year’s municipal budget.

The Town Council is scheduled to hold its first budget workshop at 7 tonight at the Gorham Municipal Center. Town Manager David Cole presented his proposed 2011-12 budget to the council Monday.

The $12 million budget, which includes county taxes, is up 4 percent over the current year’s $11.5 million and would raise the property tax rate by 5.6 percent, 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

That means the property tax bill for the owner of a $200,000 home would increase by $50.

The proposed budget includes a $240,000 payment on money borrowed last year for road work and a heavy rescue truck for the fire department. Cole also budgeted an additional $200,000 for road work.

Those new expenses would be offset by proposed cuts to health insurance and some town services.

A slightly downgraded health insurance plan for town employees would save $110,000. The new plan would lower monthly premiums for the employees, and the town, Cole wrote in a letter presented with this budget.

A reduction in the town clerk’s office hours would save about $9,400. The office would open a half-hour later — at 9 a.m. — and close at 4:30 p.m. daily.

Cole also proposed adjusting staffing at the office, which has one part-time and four full-time employees. The budget calls for three full-time and three part-time staffers, which would save $15,200.

One proposed job elimination — a part-time assistant librarian — would save another $10,600. 

Staff Writer Leslie Bridgers can be contacted at: 791-6364 or at lbridgers@mainetoday.com

 

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