Buckfield holds FY2025–26 budget workshop; public feedback requested, RSU 10 meeting dates noted

The Town of Buckfield Select Board held a workshop on March 8, 2025, to collect public input on the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget. Board members and staff emphasized that the session was for feedback only and that no motions or formal decisions would be made.

Select board members and staff directed residents to a version of the proposed budget posted on the town website (buckfield.maine.gov → Boards and Committees → Budget Committee). A staff member said the document being followed at recent meetings is labeled “2025 to 2026 proposed budget version 1” and that two recorded workshops (one with department heads and one a line‑by‑line review) are posted for residents to review.

A participant said Town Manager Cameron’s preliminary estimate, based on the figures available at the time and pending final county and school numbers, put the town’s mill rate “about, like, $15.50, $15.75, per thousand,” and that the figure included anticipated increases from the county and school and an estimated 5% adjustment. Workshop speakers cautioned this was an estimate and not a finalized rate.

Speakers outlined the next steps in the budget calendar: RSU 10 will hold several budget workshops and informational meetings, including March 10 at 6 p.m. at Mountain Valley High School, March 24 at 6 p.m. at Buckfield Junior‑Senior High School, March 31 at 6 p.m. at Mountain Valley High School library, an informational meeting in Buckfield on May 19, and the regional annual budget meeting on May 28 (the date residents would vote on the RSU budget at that meeting). The select board said the town is exploring transportation (a school bus) to the May 28 meeting so Buckfield residents can attend and participate in the regional meeting.

Speakers described how the RSU 10 process affects the town: the regional meetings are where the district’s budget is finalized and can determine what appears on individual towns’ warrants. One participant clarified that the final town vote on the warrant occurs later in June at the town’s business meeting, but that attendance at the RSU regional meeting can influence what budget amount is put forward.

Board members stressed the select board’s role at this stage is to gather ideas and public comment, then review the proposed budget and make recommendations for changes. The workshop host reiterated that no votes would be held and the select board would not take action during the session; staff and residents were invited to send comments to the town manager by email.

Quotes in this report are attributed to speakers who participated in the workshop or to specific staff as identified in the meeting transcript.

Ending: The workshop adjourned at approximately 9:16 a.m.; the select board will meet next on the regularly scheduled date (select board meeting Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.). Residents were reminded the town’s budget documents and workshop recordings are available on the town website and that the town manager’s office is the contact for questions or to register interest in the bus to the RSU 10 May 28 meeting.