RICHMOND

When residents gather for Town Meeting tonight, they will be asked to adopt a proposed budget that is increasing only $3,787 from the current year.

Residents may also opt to move Town Meeting back to June and make property taxes payable quarterly.

Selectmen are proposing a $2.6 million municipal budget for 2013-14. Town Manager Marian Anderson said that’s an increase of $3,787 — 0.1 percent — from the current plan.

The increase is not expected to affect the property tax rate, currently $17.10 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

Anderson said selectmen are proposing a budget that includes a $1,865 decrease in administration, an $800 reduction in the fire department budget, $1,502 less in the public works department and $21,800 less for police.

The police department would still have a police officer on duty 24 hours a day.

Richmond Police Chief Scott MacMaster said a grantfunded position is vacant, and he looked at not filling it and paying back the grant; keeping it; trying to use the grant to retain an existing fifth officer; or scaling back 24-hour coverage. He said he can use the grant to retain a fifth officer position and prevent a layoff.

Anderson said operating budgets are not increasing. The capital budget selectmen are recommending contains a $3,787 increase, to $72,550, for minor maintenance paving and a new sanding body for a public works truck.

Residents will also vote whether to acquire the St. Matthias Episcopal Church land and buildings at 15 Spruce St., which would be given to the town by the Diocese of Maine at no cost. Selectmen included a warrant article asking for $5,000 from undesignated fund balance to repair and maintain the property for 2013-14. The site could become a permanent home for the food pantry or a place for seniors, among other options, Anderson said.

Town Meeting was moved from June to April two years ago in a bid to boost voter turnout. Anderson said the meeting change has not made a significant difference, so voters will consider moving it back to June.

Residents also may pay their tax bills quarterly in 2013-14 if voters approve tonight. The town would still send out one tax bill, but with the four due dates: Aug. 10, 2013; Nov. 10, 2013; Feb. 10, 2014; and May 10, 2014.

Anderson said the budget has posed a challenge to continue to hold the budget flat when the cost of utilities, heating fuel and other costs continue to rise, but selectmen and the Budget Committee both “worked diligently to overcome that challenge, and I think they did a remarkable job,” she said.

“Obviously we don’t know how long we can continue to do that,” she said, “but we’re doing our best.”

The annual town meeting starts at 6 p.m. today at Richmond High School.

Richmond Town Meeting

WHAT: Richmond annual
Town Meeting
WHEN: Today, 6 p.m.
WHERE: Richmond High
School, 132 Main St.