BOWDOINHAM

Residents would receive a property tax increase of 14 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation if the Town Meeting warrant passes as is. But with state revenue uncertain, town officials remain wary.

Selectmen are proposing a municipal budget of more than $1.5 million — an increase of $43,869, or 2.9 percent, from the current year.

The town’s portion of the School Administrative District 75 budget is projected to increase by $22,249; the Sagadahoc County budget by $2,947.

Under the draft budget, Town Manager William Post said town’s current tax rate — $15.10 per $1,000 of assessed value — could go up by $21 per year for a property assessed for tax purposes at $150,000.

Revenue from the state is still unconfirmed, Post said, and Gov. Paul LePage’s proposed budget would cut revenue to Bowdoinham by about $250,000 — which he said is about 24 percent of the town’s non-property tax revenue.

Post has budgeted as if the town will get the same amount of revenue it received in the current fiscal year. If revenue is reduced, as LePage proposes, voters will need to make adjustments at Town Meeting June 12, he said. If the budget is approved later than that, adjustments may require a special town meeting to address a revenue shortfall.

The proposed $1.5 million budget includes a $50,786 increase in debt service — principal and interest on a 10- year bond issue approved by voters last year for sidewalk snow removal equipment, reconstruction of Millay Road and the first-year of payment on a lease-purchase of a backhoe.

Post is also proposing to increase a part-time employee currently providing 10 hours of administrative work at the front desk and 20 hours of codes enforcement work per week to a full-time position, adding 10 hours for administrative work.

There are also several ordinance articles, including seven proposing to amend the land-use ordinance. These amendments would define “non-permanent structures” and create performance standards for nonpermanent structures, temporary buildings and greenhouses; revise and clarify provisions related to business name signage; and other measures. The proposed ordinance amendments are online at www.bowdoinham.com on the Planning page.

Two certified citizen-initiated petitions also are up for comment at tonight’s selectmen’s meeting.

Selectmen may opt to place one — a consumer fireworks ban petition submitted by Wendy Gray — before voters at a June 11 referendum instead of Town Meeting, Post said. The proposed ordinance seeks to prohibit discharge of fireworks within the town except for professional, sanctioned displayss

The other — a liquor consumption petition submitted by resident Lynn Spiro — asks, “Shall this municipality authorize the state to issue license for the sale of beer to be consumed on the premise of licensed establishments on days other than Sunday?”

“The only thing I’m looking to do is for people to be able to have beer and wine with their dinner,” Spiro said, who owns The Town Landing restaurant.

Spiro said the town’s recent Comprehensive Plan survey revealed one of the top priorities identified by residents is to “have a place to come get a drink with dinner.”

“I’m not looking to be a bar,” Spiro said.

Town Meeting draft warrant hearing

WHAT: Board of Selectmen
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. today
WHERE: Coombs Municipal
Building