Topsham residents will weigh in on a $14.13 million municipal budget for the upcoming fiscal year and proposed town ordinances, including an updated Climate Action Plan, next Wednesday.
The Climate Action Plan, developed by the town Energy Committee with input from residents, is an outline for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resilience to climate change.
The municipal budget reflects a 2% decrease in municipal spending from the previous fiscal year, which was kept low by cutting paving projects and contributions to reserve funds.
The municipal budget does not include the town’s contribution to Maine School Administrative District 75. The SAD 75 budget plus the county tax and the municipal budget create the total town budget and determine the ultimate property tax rate.
The SAD 75 budget, approved at the district budget meeting on May 15, totals $57.88 million. Four towns, including Topsham, contribute to that budget. If the school budget is approved as is by voters in a referendum on June 10, Topsham will contribute $14.2 million to the school district, up roughly 8% from last year.
Within the proposed municipal budget, police is the highest-spending department at $2.55 million, followed by EMS and fire, public works, and capital programs. The town plans on funding a community paramedic position in the fire department this year, a post that has existed for two years but was previously funded by a grant.
The Climate Action Plan calls for Topsham to adopt state goals on climate change, including decreasing greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels by 45% by 2030 and 80% by 2050, and achieving carbon neutrality by 2045.
The plan also proposes actions that town government can adopt to reach these goals. These suggestions include investing in sustainable transportation and infrastructure that supports electric vehicles, pedestrian traffic and public transportation. The CAP also suggests the town continue to support renewable energy projects like solar and update town buildings and properties with climate-friendly heat-pump systems and energy-efficient appliances and lighting.
The CAP also promotes natural climate solutions, such as plans for managing flooding, developing an invasive species management plan and sustainable waste management. Lastly, it encourages town departments to continuously update the public on the progress of the plan and encourage opportunities to take action.
The May 28 special town meeting takes place in the Forum at Mt. Ararat High School at 7 p.m. All registered Topsham voters can vote on town affairs at the meeting. More information on the upcoming town meeting and breakdowns of the municipal budget and proposed Climate Action Plan are available on the town website.
The Energy Committee will be holding an information session on the Climate Action Plan from 1-2 p.m. on Saturday at the Topsham Public Library.
