GORHAM — The proposed municipal budget Town Manager Ephrem Paraschak delivered to town councilors this week is up from the current year and slightly impacts the town’s tax rate.

Paraschak is proposing a $14.7 million budget, up $660,287 or 4.7 percent from the current year’s $14 million. The figures do not include the town’s school budget.

Paraschak was appointed town manager after David Cole retired last fall and the budget marks his first in Gorham. “I look forward to discussing this budget with the Town Council as we prepare to move forward into FY2019,” Paraschak wrote in his budget transmittal letter to councilors.

The proposed municipal budget would increase the town’s tax rate 22 cents per $1,000 of valuation. So, taxes on a home valued at $200,000 would rise $44 to support the proposed municipal budget.

The Cumberland County tax assessed Gorham is $1.2 million, up $55,757 or 5 percent from $1.1 million, and increases the town’s tax rate an additional two cents.

There was no budget discussion in Tuesday’s regular monthly Town Council meeting.

Paraschak noted in his letter the growth of the town and the need to step up services.

The budget includes adding a part-time customer service position in the town clerk’s office; and an additional sergeant in the town’s Police Department; two per diem paramedic/EMTs in the fire department working no more than 30 hours per week and no benefits; one part-time position in Public Works to mow recreation fields; and $30,000 more for winter road salt.

The budget also provides $50,000 to cover the senior citizen tax relief program that the Town Council initiated in January.

The Town Council will vote on the budget in June. The Town Council will conduct its first budget workshop 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 5, in the municipal center, 75 South St.

Robert Lowell can be reached at 854-2577 or [email protected]