Wayne select board approves payroll, warrants and small donations amid debate over special‑revenue accounts

The Town of Wayne Select Board on Nov. 4 approved routine financial business including meeting minutes and payroll, accepted modest donations and debated how donations should be recorded in town accounts.

Board members voted to approve the Oct. 21, 2025 meeting minutes and payroll warrant number 15 in the amount of $12,498.29 by voice votes that carried 4–0. The board also moved to approve accounts payable warrant number 16 (amount stated aloud in the meeting packet; transcript wording was unclear). The motion carried by voice vote, 4–0.

The nut of the discussion was how to treat donations tied to town programs that currently sit in special‑revenue accounts but may not have formal town‑meeting appropriations. Town Manager Shannon told the board that several program accounts — the LAAD Center recreation accounts, the Wayne Farmers Market account and the Aging at Home account — have donation activity that has been carried forward from fiscal year 2025 and that municipal auditors advised maintaining those balances until the town clarifies accounting treatment. Shannon said the LAAD Center recreation programs have a town appropriation of $4,300 that has been supplemented with donations.

After discussion, the board unanimously accepted a donation of $815 intended to supplement the LAAD Center recreation programs (motion carried 4–0). The board then debated whether the Aging at Home program had an appropriation that could be supplemented. Some members questioned whether an existing town appropriation for Aging at Home exists; Eric Stuttgart (commenter) noted the budget includes an Aging at Home coordinator position but not necessarily a separate program appropriation. After discussion and reference to guidance from the Maine Municipal Association, the board approved accepting a $3,050 donation earmarked for the Aging at Home program. That motion passed 3–1.

Board members said they expect to resolve the coding and appropriation language at a future town meeting or a special town meeting so donations and non‑lapsing special‑revenue accounts are recorded with appropriate authority. The town manager said she will seek further guidance from MMA and present revised account language at a future meeting.

The board’s actions on warrants, payroll and donations were taken by voice vote and recorded in the meeting minutes.