REPORT OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF GORHAM TOWN COUNCIL
May 8, 2001
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Roll Call of Council: Present: Chairman Loveitt; Councilors Alden, Justice, Phinney, Chicoine, Willett and Robinson; the Town Manager and the Town Clerk
Prior to the start of the public hearing Chairman Loveitt disclosed that he has family members who work for the Town but that he felt he could impartially vote on the budget. The Council agreed that Chairman Loveitt could participate in the discussion and voting on the proposed budget.
The meeting adjourned for a public Hearing on the proposed Municipal Budget for the July 1, 2001 – June 30, 2002 fiscal year.
Prior to the start of the public hearing Municipal Departments were given an opportunity to present special requests that are not included in the proposed budget. Assessor David Sawyer, Code Enforcement Officer Clint Cushman, Police Chief Ronald Shepard and Fire Chief Robert Lefebvre made requests.
Four citizens spoke – one asking the Council to keep the tax rate down and three supporting the proposed school budget.
The public hearing closed at 7:30 p.m.
Item #6479. The order, as read aloud by the Clerk, was moved by Councilor Justice and seconded by Councilor Chicoine.
Moved by Councilor Phinney, seconded by Councilor Chicoine and VOTED to amend the proposed order by reducing under Capital Budget Part II Safety Improvements for School Facilities to $44,756; Fire Truck Replacement Reserve to $0 and Acoustical Improvements for Robie Gym to $0.
7 yeas.
Moved by Councilor Phinney, seconded by Councilor Robinson and VOTED to further amend the proposed order by removing $44,756.00 from Capital Budget Part II Safety Improvements for School Facilities and putting that $44,756.00 into a land acquisition account. 6 yeas. 1 nay (Justice)
The order, as amended was then VOTED resulting in the following:
ORDERED that the Town Council vote to adopt the 2001-2002 Fiscal Year Budget with the following departmental totals:
General Government $ 859,289
Public Safety 2,218,398
Public Works and Solid Waste 1,486,784
Health & Welfare and Social Service Agencies 115,948
Recreation/Cable 239,800
Libraries and Museum 287,778
Planning and Development 210,806
Debt & Interest 297,603
Capital Items 850,797
Insurance 1,141,470
Other Town Services and Unclassified 211,765
Education 19,691,597
Cumberland County Property Tax 497,068
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Gorham Town Council authorize the Gorham School Committee to expend during the fiscal period July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002 for support of the public schools $19,691,597 and additional operating expenditures which may result from Federal, State or other grants and subsidies not requiring local taxation; and
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Town of Gorham authorize the School Committee to expend for the fiscal year July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2002 from the foundation allocation, debt service allocation, unexpended balances, and other sources of revenue and receipts for the support of schools and adult education, a total of $9,885,547; that the Town Council raise and appropriate a local share of the foundation allocation of $ 6,995,061 including local share of debt service $313,237 and additional local funds of $2,810,989 including $111,143 for adult education; that the revenues from the state allocation of $9,603,703, balances and miscellaneous receipts of $228,844; and that adult education subsidy and fees of $53,000 be used for education purposes.
The total budget to be $ 28,109,103. This total less estimated credits of $14,290,465 and a transfer from Surplus of $123,844 result in a Net Appropriation of $13,694,794 which shall be raised by assessment on the estates of resident and nonresidents property owners in the Town of Gorham, and
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Town Council adopt the Capital Budget Part II in the amount of $228,256 to be funded from the Town’s undesignated fund balance; and
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that all taxes on real estate and personal property shall be due and payable upon approval of this Order and that one-half of all real estate and personal property taxes that remain unpaid on October 15, 2001 shall commence bearing interest on October 16, 2001, and that the final half of all real estate and personal property taxes that remain unpaid on May 15, 2002, shall commence bearing interest on May 16, 2002 at an interest rate of eleven and one/half percent (11.5%) per annum as authorized by Maine Law until paid and collected and the Tax Collector and Treasurer are authorized to collect and receive thereof; and
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Town Council authorizes the Finance Director to accept prepayment of real and personal property taxes; and
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that pursuant to Title 36, M.R.S.A., Section 506A, the Town Council establishes an interest rate of seven and one-half percent (7.5%) per annum to be paid on all real estate and personal property taxes rebated to an over assessment. 5 yeas. 2 nays (Hamblen and Robinson).
Moved by Councilor Hamblen, seconded by Councilor Phinney and VOTED to adjourn. 7 yeas.
A TRUE RECORD OF MEETING Attest:
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Town Clerk
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