Windham’s proposed budget breakdown

Municipal services: $12,575,216 +8.1%

School Department: $26,558,128 +9.1

Total budget: $39,452,673

While Windham’s proposed budget for next year would be a jump in spending, increased education funding from the state would result in a roughly 5.8 percent decrease in the town’s property tax mill rate.

As part of the roughly $39.45 million school and town budget, Windham taxpayers would see a $1.10 reduction in the current mill rate of $19 for every $1,000 of assessed valuation.

The anticipated reduction in the mill rate would be a result of Windham receiving $3.5 million more state aid under the new Essential Services and Programs funding model.

Municipal spending is proposed to increase 8.1 percent and school spending is projected to increase 9.1 percent.

A potential dampening effect on the proposed $1.10 in tax relief could be the state’s reduction in the Homestead Exemption. This year, according to Town Manager Anthony Plante, the town is set to pick up about 50 percent of the exemptions.

Municipal Budget

With Windham Town Manager Anthony Plante’s presentation of the municipal 2005/2006 budget at Tuesday night’s Town Council workshop, the Town Council is now set to review the proposed budget.

The proposed municipal budget calls for an 8.1 percent increase to $12.6 million for municipal services and capital expenses. That would result in an effective property tax rate increase of 3.8 percent, from $5.05 to $5.24, for municipal services.

While staffing and program budgets remain the same as last year, employee wages and benefits are projected to increase to 55.8 percent of the total budget, or $7.02 million.

Upcoming council meetings will give members opportunity to question department heads and offer changes before approving the budget, which goes to voters at the Annual Town Meeting in June.

Councilor David Tobin says of the proposed budget, “I’ve seen quite a few budgets, and this one is what you would expect. I think the people will be pleased.”

With the removal of the recycling bins (see related story), Windham is projected to save $21,560. This figure doesn’t include the additional cost of dispatching public works employees to the locations for clean up. Included in the proposal is the first rate increase for trash bags since the inception of “pay-as-you-throw” curbside pick-up five years ago. The reason for the increase is to offer higher-quality trash bags to the public, since many residents have been complaining about the thin plastic bags.

The emergency medical service budget is increasing due to the rise in costs of trained personnel and medical technology. The proposed increase of 7.5% for fees would bring the fire and rescue budget to $1.38 million from $1.28 million.

The public safety budget rose from $1.82 million to $2.06 million with increased compensation of seven full-time dispatchers and one supervisor. Police training and conferences showed a 31 percent jump from $8,000 to $10,500.

Improvements and repairs needed at the skate park are budgeted at $10,000 due to the years of wear and tear.

Tobin noted that the budget falls within the state cap, but voiced concerns over the increasing prices of petroleum and salt and the effect they will have on next season’s winter snow removal budget. Tobin said that there was a period during this past winter when the town “overspent $100,000 on winter snow removal.” But, he added, federal aid will assist with those costs.

Councilor Bob Muir noted that it was too early to comment on the budget, but as questions arise, the council will meet with various department heads to discuss funding.

School side

The total proposed budget, including municipal services and education costs, is $39.5 million. The proposed school budget includes a $26.5 million. That represents a 9.1 percent increase from last year’s $24.3 million budget.

The state, according to School Board member Jeffrey Vermette , will cover the majority of the 9.1 percent increase as there is an expectation of $3.5 million under “essential programs and services” which governs school spending. According to School Board Chairman Michael Duffy, the state’s reimbursement will mean a flat-funded budget for this fiscal year.

Vermette commented that he believes the budget is “fiscally responsible and will meet the needs of students.”

Vermette also noted the additional funds from the state were testimony to the department operating in an “economical manner.”

The largest hikes in the school department’s budget are a 40 percent increase to $436,602 under General Administration; a 24 percent jump in the Operation, Maintenance, Supplies and Equipment budget from to $780,248. The Instruction Equipment line item decreased 49 percent to $85,869.

Vermette also said Windham claims one of the lowest per-pupil costs in state. He would like to see class sizes further reduced for Kindergarten through third grade, adding more teachers in those classrooms.