By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Unusual times require unusual measures, especially when it comes to developing a municipal budget that will ease the burden on taxpayers, who are struggling due to COVID-19 circumstances, yet maintain an adequate level of service that the community expects.

Town Manager Robert Peabody delivered a revised proposed budget to the Selectboard Tuesday night that will result in a decrease of .17% less than last year’s amount to be raised by taxes.

The reduction was the result of:

• Reducing anticipated state revenue sharing by $191,731

• Increasing use of Undesignated Fund Balance by $150,000. Peabody explained local policy calls for the town to keep up to 24% of the gross budget on hand. A recent audit showed the fund at $4.9 million.

• Reducing the Police Department budget by $62,928 by eliminating a new cruiser purchase and WatchGuard. A cruiser was totaled in an accident this past year and is being replaced, so a new patrol car at $44,000 was eliminated. WatchGuard ($18,928) is the dash mounted and body worn camera system. 

BPD Sgt. TJ Reese currently has to download every camera (dash and body worn) to a computer and then for all active cases or complaints, he “writes” some number of DVDs for each incident to go to the District Attorney’s Office or to BPD Chief Rick Stillman.

“It’s very manpower intensive. The system we had proposed allowed for the download to take place automatically upon entering the station parking lot via Wi-Fi,” Chief Stillman said. “It’s a great system, but under the circumstances, we can live without it for another year or two.”

• Eliminating funding for Reserve Accounts by $45,000.

Peabody delivered more potential good news reporting that SAD 61 Superintendent Al Smith informed him that the school budget could be paired and Bridgton’s increase of 2.845% could drop to 1.99% (this change is awaiting school board action).  

Understanding the economic hardships residents are experiencing in wake of this unprecedented pandemic, Peabody felt it was a responsibility of municipal leaders to do their part and come up with a lean budget.

In other board business conducted during Tuesday’s virtual meeting:

• Busy ballot. When voters tackle this year’s warrant, it will take some time in the ballot box or if residents choose to go the absentee ballot route (requests can be made online at the town website or by calling the town office or picking one up at the town office once it reopens on June 1), either way it will take some time.

Town Clerk Laurie Chadbourne said absentee ballots will be available at least 30 days prior to the election (July 14). Absentee ballot requests may be  made anytime now and will be mailed out upon receipt (at least 30 days prior to the election). https://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl

The Selectboard approved a series of referendum questions that address how the town wishes to proceed in terms of medical and adult marijuana sales, as well as changes to the Land Use Ordinance. One change addresses whether an assisted living facility (one is being proposed for North High Street) could be placed in the Downtown Village Neighborhood District.

The other “housekeeping” amendments clarifies dimensional requirements.

The voting date is July 14.

The bigger question is how will Bridgton tackle this year’s town meeting? 

“It’s nice to see people at town meeting,” Chairman Lee Eastman said. “It’s the one time they have a voice.”

Based on current guidelines handed down by the governor, a town hall meeting could not be held in June or July, and likely not in August either.

Could the town hold off until September? It could by law, but would then have to operate under the previous year’s budget.

What it looks like is that the town will hold a virtual public hearing regarding the proposed budget. Municipal leaders (manager, Selectboard and department heads) will convene the hearing at the Town Hall and use the virtual format  that would allow residents to ask questions regarding the 38 warrant articles. The hearing must be held at least 10 days prior to the vote.

Community Development Director Linda LaCroix pitched the idea of using Go To Meeting as the virtual format because it has a chat function that would also allow the public to pose questions while discussion is ongoing. Using this method, the town would need someone to moderate the chat. Selectman Bear Zaidman wondered if someone from the Greater Portland Council of Government (GPCOG) could assist as a moderator?

Town Clerk Laurie Chadbourne is waiting for election guidelines from the state. Based on social distancing standards, 14 voting booths could be set up at the town hall. Selectman Zaidman asked whether voting hours could be extended to cater to social distancing and the number of people allowed in the town hall at one time, not to mention the length of this year’s ballot. Chadbourne will check to see if the polls could open earlier, 6 or 7 a.m. but she noted that polls (by law) close at 8 p.m.

Because of the complexity of this year’s ballot questions, Chairman Eastman wondered if someone from the clerk’s office could provide information if voters had questions? 

The answer, no. Chadbourne pointed out that any explanation could be perceived as voter persuasion. She said voters should bring their questions to the public hearing to be answered, not to the polls.

LaCroix noted that the town plans to send out a mass mailing regarding items on the ballot, and also suggested that one or two public forums be held prior to the July 14 vote.

Another question raised was whether the town could set up two polling sites, possibly using the Stevens Brook Elementary School gym, to ease access. Chadbourne wonders whether there is enough time for the town to lease more voting machines to outfit two locations, but will look into it.

Zaidman asked whether the town has enough election clerks? Chadbourne has been in touch with clerks with half saying they would work the polls, some declined and others said they would like to wait to see what happens with COVID-19.

“We have enough (clerks) to run a regular election,” Chadbourne said. “The state is still working on procedures and ordering protective gear.”

If the town ran short on clerks, Chadbourne is authorized to appoint clerks. Peabody said the town could also enlist staff to assist.

Selectperson Carmen Lone raised the question of whether tables would be set up on Election Day for folks looking for petition signatures. Eastman said first priority goes to providing space for voters; while petitioners might be placed outdoors under a tent — which the Rec Department plans to put up as part of its summer programming.

Plenty of questions remain; answers forthcoming. 

• Where to use grant funds? How will Bridgton use $113,219 in Community Development Block Grant COVID-19 money from HUD? County officials outlined specific areas that HUD funds could be used: food assistance programs; rental and mortgage assistance; homeless prevention; small business loan-grant programs; job creation and retention programs.

The Community Development Advisory Committee reviewed applications and forwarded them to the Selectboard for approval. 

The Bridgton Community Center has been a clearinghouse for information and assistance for those individuals in need. Thus, town targeted all funds to go through the BCC. Community Development Director Linda LaCroix and Bridgton Community Center Director Carmen Lone submitted three applications on behalf of the BCC for the $113,219. The programs will be administered by the BCC:

• Community Resource Navigator — Temporary shelter program, $44,000

• Community Resource Navigator — Rental/Utility program, $63,219

• Community Resource Navigator — Food assistance program, $6,000.

As part of this assistance program, a second Navigator will be added to the BCC staff.

Meanwhile, LaCroix said the town will look to assist businesses in need by activating a local micro-loan program. 

“We have substantial funds in the micro-loan program of over $78,000 as of a 2019 bank statement that could be used to bring our local businesses through this difficult period,” LaCroix wrote in a memo to the Selectboard. “The CDD office will carry out that task with a plan to approach Norway Savings Bank as the administrator of the loan applications, and a three-person committee to provide oversight. We will put that into play as fast as possible so funds can reach businesses in this time of need.”

Once received, funds will likely be expended within a three to six month period.

• Concerns about streetscape. As the new look Main Street progresses, two selectmen voiced concerns about some imperfections they have found during walks.

Chairman Eastman voiced his displeasure about seeing spray painted markings for “Dig Safe” on the new sidewalks. While he appreciates the need for safety, Eastman wants the paint removed once the markings are no longer needed.

Seeing asphalt grinding started this week in preparation of paving in the coming weeks, Selectman Zaidman raised concern about cracks found along sidewalks, as well as improper slopes, curbing that might need to be reinstalled and uneven junction boxes.

“I’m pretty disappointed with some of the work that been done out there,” Zaidman said.

Some issues have been brought to the engineer and contractor. Public Service Director David Madsen said he was putting together a “punch list” to go over with the engineer (HEB Engineering).

• Better procedures. Hearing the recent audit report at the last Selectboard meeting, Paul Tworog suggested that the town develop clear cut procedures addressing deficiencies mentioned by the auditor.

• Victualer licenses were approved for Big Apple stores, Tarry A While Resort and Magic Lantern.