Bridgton Town Manager Mitch Berkowitz reported Nov. 8, that as of the close of business on Oct. 31, 2011 the Town had received 40% of its projected revenues excluding taxes and had expended about 37% of its budget.

“This is against the benchmark of 33%,” Berkowitz said.

The key elements contributing to the expenditures to date included the Cumberland County tax assessment paid at 100%, the long-term debt payment at 50%, insurances at 57%, outside agency payouts at 79% and the capital account expenditures at 46%.

“If we continue to have freak early winter storms this could affect the November expenditures to date report, otherwise I expect we will be closer to the benchmark as of Dec. 1, 2011.”

Personnel Change — The town manager announced that, as of Oct. 29, Everett McCabe, of Bridgton, was hired by the Town of Bridgton Public Works Department for a position vacancy in the Parks Department.

“Everett is a Bridgton resident with his Class B (driver’s) license as well as a state arborist license,” said Berkowitz, in announcing McCabe’s hiring Nov. 8. “Those licenses, coupled with his equipment operations experience, will be an added value to the Department and the services they continually provide.”

State Revenue Sharing — On Nov. 22, Berkowitz said, “We received $21,000 in revenue sharing, which brings our total received to date to $120,612, leaving a balance due of $161,733. This means as of November we have received about 1% more than the year-to-date amount thus far.”

The town manager said that, due to the economy, “I expect January, February and March to be very, very lean.”

Peabody Pond Dam — Berkowitz said that he has been approached by a representative from the Town of Sebago, who indicated he is coordinating the efforts to repair the dam on Peabody Pond, which abuts the towns of Bridgton, Naples and Sebago. Berkowitz said the “details have yet to be worked out” and he understands there is the potential for making an application for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, and he will keep the selectmen informed.

Advisory Group Volunteers — The Bridgton Board of Selectmen is seeking citizens who would like to be considered for an appointment to the Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Advisory Committee.

Town officials report that there was little response to a published public notice searching for volunteers. Interested citizens should submit letters of interest as soon as possible. Letters of interest must be submitted to: Town Manager, Bridgton Town Office, 3 Chase Street, Suite 1, Bridgton, Maine 04009.