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Skowhegan select board reviews budget; parks staff detail costs for new baseball field
Summary
At a March 3 budget workshop the Skowhegan Select Board reviewed modest assessing changes and a parks & recreation budget that includes ongoing maintenance costs and a capital reserve for a new multi‑purpose baseball field; staff said outside approval of a $3 million project allows drawing funds once contracts are signed.
The Skowhegan Select Board on March 3 held a budget workshop focused on the assessing department and Parks & Recreation, during which staff described benefit-cost increases, reserve balances and startup costs tied to a new ball field.
Parks director Denise (staff) told the board that most operating increases come from employee benefits and higher utility costs and that the department added money to a capital reserve to support a new multi‑purpose baseball field. "We did get the green light a week or so ago," Denise said of outside approval for a roughly $3 million project, adding that "we can draw down as soon as we get a contract signed." She said staff built conservative utility and maintenance estimates into the coming year’s budget.
Assessing staff reported minimal line‑item changes but asked that a $15,000 reserve be restored to support future mandatory revaluations. Board members heard the town’s reserve balance cited during the discussion: staff reported an available balance of $224,378 while explaining that a major revaluation is generally required roughly every 10 years.
Board members and staff also discussed specific maintenance and vendor contracts. Denise said the town’s building‑mechanical contract (Seammens) is in its first year and that several departments are evaluating security/monitoring vendors to reduce costs. She also flagged fuel assumptions used in vehicle budgets: "Our gasoline prices went to $3.39 a gallon. Our diesel is going to $4 a gallon," she said, projecting higher operating outlays.
Capital priorities included a proposed truck for grounds work, locker‑room and door repairs in older buildings, and an initial $15,000–$40,000 allocation to prepare staff and equipment to maintain the new field. Staff noted potential revenue opportunities later in the fiscal year from facility rentals and tournaments but said they do not plan to charge the local school to preserve the existing partnership.
What happens next: the select board will assemble a full municipal budget for public hearings later in the process. Staff said contract approvals and any lease arrangements for vehicles will return to the board for separate action.
