Town of Phippsburg 2012 Annual Report

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2012 ANNUAL REPORT
Termination payback ($12,000 - which may not be used). We are also bringing some of the accounts
back up to the normal funding level after cutting them last year by $136,000 to help
make up for the RSU #1 cost share increase. When all the factors are taken into consideration
(Municipal increases, County increases, and the decrease in Phippsburg’s RSU#1 cost share due
to the new formula voted in on March 19th) we expect the mil rate to actually decrease.
Citizens have direct input for the Municipal budget by attending Town Meeting (May 7th &
8th this year) and for the RSU Educational budget by attending the Regional Wide Town Meeting
to be held 6:30 p.m. on May 28th at the Bath Middle School which will be followed by a
secret ballot referendum vote on June 4th at the Town Hall (polls from 1:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.).
The only input into the County Budget that citizens have is to attend the public hearings and let
the County Budget Advisory Committee know your recommendations (our representatives are
Selectman Everett Perkins and Budget Committee Chairman Paul Gamache).
We always strive to keep the mil rate as low as possible but it is a constant balancing act
and voters at Town Meeting ultimately have the final say on the amounts raised and spent each
year. We will be within our LD1 limit again this year.
Recognitions and Awards
This year the following Awards were received by the Town, its volunteers and employees.
Police Chief Skroski - “Law Enforcement Officer of the Year” from the State of
Maine Department of the American Legion.
Fire and Rescue Auxiliary - “Spirit of America” award for volunteerism.
Conservation Commission - “Award of Recommendation” from the State of Maine
Chapter of the Wildlife Society.
Town of Phippsburg - “Supreme Award” for the 2012 Annual Report
Town of Phippsburg - “Certificate of Recognition” from the County Commissioners
for participating in the “Spirit of America” award program.
We congratulate those who earned these awards and are very proud of them. The Town is
very lucky to have these dedicated individuals and groups assisting our community. More information
on these awards are in the beginning pages of this Town Report.
In Tribute
We want to recognize some of our citizens who have passed this year and the contributions
they have made to the Town. We watched the passing of Chuck Callanan, Loring Hart, John
Moffitt, Walter Mullen, Norman Nickerson, Jack Percy, Stan Trask, Macy Whitehead, and Annie
Haskell - all who volunteered for the Town or School and gave a part of themselves to this
community. We have noted their passing at the beginning of this Town Report and want to let
all the family’s who have had loved ones pass this year know that we are sorry for their loss.
Goodwill Account
Five years ago the Town established a “Goodwill” account funded by citizen donations.
The account is used to assist families in need of heating fuel or other basic necessities (i.e. food)
that they cannot afford. The funds are only used if there is a proven need and the applicants
don’t meet the requirements for General Assistance. The fund is administered by the General