Selectmen approve FY26 adjustments, allocate $850,000 surplus to cut taxes and set aside $150,000 for road emergencies; approve loans, licenses and appointments

The Skowhegan Board of Selectmen on June 2 approved revised FY26 departmental wage adjustments, voted to use $850,000 of surplus to offset property taxes and appropriated $150,000 to the highway capital reserve for emergency road and sidewalk repairs.

The changes to FY26 budget lines were presented by Finance staff Tricia Austin, who told the board the packet showed “the line items and the expense lines where I was given direction to go back and work on the wage sections of each department.” The board voted to adopt the adjusted department requests as presented.

Why it matters: The surplus allocation reduces the town’s tax burden for the coming year and directs a portion of the one-time funds to immediate infrastructure needs. Selectmen and staff discussed whether recent FEMA reimbursements should be routed into an emergency capital reserve for future storms; staff said they are awaiting auditors’ guidance before designating those funds.

In other business the board approved a slate of routine and programmatic items — including liquor and victualer licenses for local restaurants, a $100,000 revolving-loan fund (RLF) loan to the Snack Shack, $13,035 for townwide computer upgrades, $2,500 for planning office furniture, and $7,722.23 to complete repairs on a JCB backhoe for the solid waste operation. The board also approved the town meeting warrant and the schedule for the June 9–10 election and town meeting.

The RLF loan of $100,000 to Erin Hall, owner/operator of the Snack Shack, passed 4–1. Hall told the board she put $45,000 of her own funds into the purchase, plans year-round operation and will personally secure other portions of the purchase (she said she will close on a second mortgage). The loan documents indicate a 10-year amortization and a 9% rate; the board discussed collateral and UCC filing language during the vote.

Selectmen appointed Aaron Parker as the town’s code enforcement officer for the remainder of the fiscal year (appointment through June 30, 2025). The board and staff clarified that Parker is not yet certified but that municipalities commonly appoint new hires and that training and certification are expected. Brian (last name not specified in the transcript), who is serving in planning/code enforcement functions, said Parker will pursue required certification and that the town has used state-available training resources.

Public works director Jason Finley was authorized to solicit a request for proposals (RFP) for reconstruction of the Main Street retaining wall; board members discussed design standards for taller walls and noted engineered, stamped designs will be required for walls above standard thresholds.

Department and public reports included recycling and solid-waste updates: staff reported Skowhegan recycled 26 tons through Apparel Impact in 2024, and 44.31 tons of cardboard in April (cardboard sales plus avoided disposal generated about $7,200 in value for the town). The board voted to post a vacant solid-waste attendant position so the facility can maintain coverage during upcoming vacations.

Votes at a glance (key motions and outcomes from the meeting): - Adopt FY26 adjusted departmental wage lines (motion to approve adjusted operating budget shown in meeting packet): approved (vote: unanimous by voice; no roll-call tally provided). - Approve FY26 surplus recommendation: move $850,000 to offset taxes and appropriate $150,000 to the highway capital reserve for roads and sidewalks emergency repairs: approved (voice vote; no roll-call tally provided). - Approve town meeting warrant and secret-ballot schedule for 06/09/2025–06/10/2025: approved (voice vote). - Approve on-premises malt-liquor, wine and spirits license for La Fagada LLC, 60 Waterville Road: approved (voice vote). - Approve victualer/innkeeper licenses for the town’s businesses (annual renewals listed on the agenda): approved, 4–0 with 1 abstention (one board member recused due to ownership interest). - Approve parade and procession permit for Holland’s Variety Drug 5K fun run on 06/07/2025: approved (voice vote). - Benjamin Sawyer Prize Fund expenditure not to exceed $34.01 for 2025 recipient: approved (voice vote). - Approve IT/computer upgrades up to $13,035 from the administrative reserve (hardware upgrades across departments): approved (voice vote). - Approve office furniture up to $2,500 from planning/ordinance reserve: approved (voice vote). - Approve revolving loan fund loan: $100,000 to Snack Shack (promissory note, personal guarantee and proposed UCC filing noted): approved, 4–1 (one dissent). - Approve appointment of Aaron Parker as code enforcement officer (through 06/30/2025): approved (voice vote). - Authorize Public Works Director Jason Finley to issue an RFP for Main Street retaining wall reconstruction: approved (voice vote). - Expend up to $7,722.23 from the solid-waste equipment reserve to complete repairs on a JCB backhoe/backhaul: approved (voice vote). - Approve treasury warrants (amount shown in packet): approved with one abstention (board member recused for a listed item).

What was not decided or remains pending: staff said the town is still awaiting final auditor confirmation on the status and routing of recent FEMA reimbursements; auditors’ advice will determine whether FEMA funds are designated to capital reserves or returned to the general fund. Staff also expects to bring a DEP grant contract (for enclosed trailers and additional bins at the recycling area) to the next selectmen meeting.

Meeting context and next steps: The board set the town meeting warrant and secret-ballot schedule for June 9–10 and will present amended budget pages in the printed budget booklet ahead of town meeting. Staff said the budget booklet would be delivered to the printer immediately and that the town would post materials online as soon as they were available.

(Quoted material in this report is taken from the meeting transcript and identified speakers.)