PHIPPSBURG

A proposed shellfish conservation ordinance is among articles on Tuesday’s annual Town Meeting warrant.

Selectmen and the Shellfish Committee recommend approval of two amendments to the town’s shellfish conservation ordinance.

The first amendment would prohibit a harvester from surrendering his or her license during the harvest year unless it is due to the harvester passing away, or the harvester is a military reservist called to active duty.

Officials say this would prevent a license holder from “selling” the license for profit to another applicant.

The article was unanimously recommended by the Shellfish Commission and all harvesters present at the Shellfish Conservation Commission Meeting on Nov. 29, 2012, and was confirmed again during a meeting on Feb. 21, town officials said.

The second part of the amendment — submitted by the treasurer — would allow the town to suspend a license if payment is not received within 30 days of an insufficient funds notice.

In other business, voters will consider a town-landing ordinance that would allow residents and taxpayers to use the town landings to have building materials and equipment taken out to the islands located within Phippsburg’s jurisdiction for construction. Currently, that is prohibited.

Voters also will consider taking $650,000 out of surplus to offset taxes. The projected surplus is $1,144,780.

“This is routine; we do it every year,” Town Administrator Mike Young said. “We take a look at what we expect to have in surplus and make a determination of what amount we can use to reduce taxes and still keep enough reserve funds to operate for two months.”

Another article calls for a large increase in the winter roads request, from $111,000 to $180,000.

“The road commissioner budgets $180,000 each year for winter snow removal and sanding,” Young said. “In 2012 we had $69,196 left in the account because it was a light winter. This amount was carry-forwarded into 2013 so the amount we had to raise for that was only $111,000.

“This year we had a significant amount of snow and the amount left in the account to carry forward into 2014 will only be $8,000 (vs the $69,196 like the year before). So, because we have much less carry-forward, we need to raise more funds.”

Phippsburg Town Meeting

WHAT: annual Town Meeting
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday;
6:30 p.m. Wednesday (if
needed)
WHERE: Phippsburg Elementary School