York Town News
Town hears Tax Task Force proposal to cap capital projects
By Larry Favinger
YORK - The Town Tax Task Force has come up with a new approach to deal with and pay for capital projects that it says will more equitably spread the burden on taxpayers over a period of time and help retain the character of the town.The approach does require considerable work on the part of the town's department heads, Board of Selectmen and School Committee, not only to identify needed projects but, once they are identified, to prioritize them.
The task force, which came up with the spending limits on operational spending in effect for the last two years on the town and school budgets, presented the plan to the selectmen at the board's meeting on Monday night, Oct. 23.
The object of the two caps would be to control real estates taxes while maintaining the infrastructure of the town and, at the same time, recognizing the ability and willingness of the taxpayers to support projects.
The cap on spending for the projects would be in the neighborhood of $7 million a year, meaning that in a five-year span about $35 million worth of projects would be funded, with voter approval.
This, Tax Task Force member Terry O'Rourke said, would be used as an average. If a $9 million project would be approved one year, for example, the next year a maximum of $5 million would be available. No projects would be undertaken without voter approval at the May Budget Referendum and proposals would go to the ballot in the way mandated by the town's Home Rule Charter.
A major part of the plan requires the Capital Planning Committee to be reconstituted to include two selectmen, two members of the School Committee, two members of the task force, two members of the Budget Committee and three members selected from the public at large.
"That's a large committee, but I think an effective one," said Tax Task Force Chairman Tom Carnicelli.
Selectman Len Dorrian liked the inclusion of members of the public, noting the valuable input by those involved with the selection of the town manger. He said having members of the public involved "helps make the best choices and assures wide public support" for the final decisions.
One of the major tasks of that committee will be to fully understand all capital requests coming from the town and School Department, O'Rourke told the selectmen. He said the committee must then establish criteria for selecting those projects to be forwarded for voter consideration.
"The two-cap approach, combined with good capital planning, can be the basis for funding needed major capital projects," he said.
A similar presentation has been made to School Department officials, and O'Rourke said they were quite positive about it.
Selectmen Vice Chairman Dwight Bardwell said the process would provide a good planning tool and added that the committee meetings should be televised with the decisions made openly, not behind closed doors.
The cap would be voluntary, as is the one on operational budgets.
"I don't think it needs to be formalized by law," O'Rourke said.
Selectmen Chairman David Marshall thanked the task force for "a great effort" and said the result of the work is "a reasonable program."
Jack MacDonald of York Harbor suggested that one of the at-large members of the committee be a senior citizen.
Last Thursday, Oct. 19, the Tax Task Force presented the plan to the Budget Committee as well, and the members of that committee also expressed interest in the plan.
In other business, the Board of Selectmen has accepted, with regret, the resignation of Peter O'Connor from the Appeals Board.
Dorrian noted that O'Connor was very diligent in his work with the board and Marshall said it was sad to see someone like O'Connor step down.
"I have great respect for his contributions," Marshall said.
With unanimous approval, the selectmen have agreed to the formation of the Workforce Housing Committee to include two selectmen, two members of the York Housing Authority and three members of the public at large. The charge to the committee includes having a proposal ready for the ballot in May.
The selectmen also voted to authorize the expenditure of the $25,000 for roof repair of the Old York Historical Society's Old Gaol, approved by the voters in May. The bid for the project was award to Peter Maddock for a total cost of $28,000. The additional $3,000 will come from Old York.
The new septic system for the town garage in York Beach also received the nod to move forward in this fiscal year. The selectmen approved carrying forward the $10,000, which voters approved for the project several years ago.
"It needs to get done," Bill Bray, the head of the Public Works Department said. "It will not come before you again."
The selectmen also acknowledged the absence of Selectman Torbert Macdonald, Jr., due to illness.
Bardwell noted at the end of the meeting that Macdonald is currently suffering the effects of Lyme disease and that is the reason Macdonald has missed several recent meetings.
The board will hold its next meeting on Monday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m.
Associate Editor Jennifer L. Saunders contributed to this report.
