ARUNDEL – Voters will gather June 9 at the Municipal Building at 7 p.m. for Arundel’s annual town meeting, where they will act on eight ordinance amendments and a $4 million annual municipal spending plan.
Voters were to elect two selectmen and two budget board members from a slate of candidates on June 8.
The proposed $4 million municipal budget is offset by about $2.34 million in revenues from an array of sources, $300,000 of which comes from the town’s fund balance.
Arundel’s annual town meeting is scheduled for June 9 at the Municipal Building at 257 Limerick Road. Dan King photo
Town Manager Keith Trefethen said budget development was a challenge, and he appreciated the efforts of RSU 21 and York County government in maintaining small adjustments.
As for the municipal budget, Trefethen said there are four major areas that saw increase. The recreation department budget is up by $59,700 because there were no summer programs or seasonal programs in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“This year, we anticipate a full slate of activities and have adjusted the budget accordingly,” said Trefethen.
He explained that the bond for the new municipal building is up $127,214, because in the current year the town was required to pay only bond interest. The new figure includes both interest and principal.
Spending for roads is up $82,226, he said, a full request. “In years past (we) provided a set number of $425,000 and performed as much work as the funds would allow,” Trefethen said.
Lastly, spending for police vehicles for the town’s contract deputy program with York County Sheriff’s Office is up is up $39,250, He said the town purchases vehicles every four years for the deputy program, and anticipates one this year and one next year. Arundel contracts for two deputies, who provide 80 hours of police coverage weekly.
“The overall package must be taken into consideration to include new value and our anticipated revenue; therefore I think it is much better to review the actual tax dollars being requested as opposed to the budgets prior to revenue. Our tax increase being requested is $341,182,” said Trefethen. He said the mil rate increase could be as little 2 cents and as much as 25 cents, depending on new value being added to the tax rolls, with the greater amount being the 25-cent figure, if there was no added value from the prior year – something he said was unlikely. He said the 2-cent figure would be if the town achieved its average adjustment in town value of past years. Arundel’s current mil rate is $16.73 per $1,000 of valuation.
The eight ordinance amendments include proposed changes to the 2008 residential growth ordinance; special exceptions in the Shoreland Overlay District and in the separate Stream Protection District; shoreland dimensional standards, changes in the regulations for contractor yards; definitions and setbacks for accessory sheds and for home occupations.
Among the changes sought in the residential growth ordinance is one that would abolish the point system for granting permits when there are more applications than permits available. Instead, permits would be issued in the order in which a complete application was submitted.
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