Town budget vote Dec. 10

The 2020 budget Town Council will pass at its Tuesday meeting is not much different from October’s preliminary budget. While a deficit budget, it will be balanced, as required by state law, by drawing down the fund balance by $1.07 million.

The $4.8 million in revenue is 2.3% below 2019 and the $5.8 million in expenditures is 10% lower. Administrator Scott Thomas calls it a budget similar to last year.

Property taxes, water bills and parking fees have been increased. Several projects held up in 2019 are again budgeted in 2020, including the Maple Hall elevator and drainage and waterfront park improvements.

Finance Director Maria DeGoede noted it is pretty basic, with no major projects on the scale of the water line replaced in 2018.

The projected fund balance of $2.05 million far exceeds the Town policy of 20% of revenues.

Council will meet at 6 p.m. Dec. 10 in Maple Hall.