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Limington town manager unveils draft 2026 budget proposing 2.4% municipal cut; board presses for clearer capital plan
Summary
Town Manager Matt presented a draft 2026 budget that he said would deliver a 2.4% reduction in the municipal appropriation while maintaining services through restructuring; select board members pressed for clearer revenue exhibit, capital-reserve strategy and more transparent five-year projections.
Town Manager Matt presented four draft budget documents to the select board on Dec. 11, saying the package is a "living document" meant to be refined before final votes.
"A bit of austerity to ensure our prosperity," Matt said, summarizing his approach to tightening departmental budgets while funding a newly established building-maintenance technician and a part-time mechanic. He said the draft preserves 24/7 fire and EMS service, keeps recreation programs intact and consolidates utilities and maintenance lines to improve transparency.
Matt told the board the draft shows an overall municipal appropriation decline of 2.4% at this stage and described using some of the town's savings to pay the $228,000 revaluation cost. He asked board members to post questions in a shared document before next Thursday so department heads can respond at the following meeting.
Board members focused their questions on capital planning and the five-year schedule. Several members said the warrant-line projections show sharp declines in later years that could mislead voters about long-term funding needs. One select board member said the draft lowers ad-warrant funding to $55,000 in a later year, a change others called "premature" and potentially confusing for taxpayers who expect steady capital contributions.
Claudet Townsen, of Military Road, asked whether the proposed staffing changes and consolidation of lines would affect service levels; Matt replied the changes are intended to maintain the current level of service at lower cost.
Officials also sought a clearer revenue exhibit. The board asked staff to provide a simple table that shows for each department how much revenue (fees, permits and other offsets) the department generated in 2025 and how that revenue is counted against operating costs in the draft 2026 budget. Matt agreed to add a one-page revenue summary in the annual report and to provide more detailed line-item explanations as requested.
On capital, the board asked staff to retain previously discussed projects and to avoid publishing a five‑year plan that understates future needs. Members urged keeping large items (for example, a previously discussed engine replacement) visible in the plan even if the timing or amounts are not yet finalized, so voters understand anticipated long-term spending.
Matt said the documents are still being populated and emphasized that numbers are subject to change as department heads and the board refine priorities. He will return next Thursday with department heads to answer outstanding questions and said the select board will vote on the final warrant articles in January.
