LINCOLNVILLE — In addition to listening to a budget overview and summary for the Five Town CSD, the Lincolnville Board of Selectmen Monday night learned about upcoming Recreation Commission projects and a proposed Veterans Memorial on the former Millington Property, at the corner of Route 173 and Norton Pond Road.

Three of the town’s selectmen were in attendance at the May 12 meeting, including Rosey Gerry, David Barrows and Jason Trundy. Absent were Julia Libby, chairman, and Ladleah Dunn, vice chairman.

School Superintendent Elaine Nutter walked the board through the high school's 2014-2015 budget, explaining that a combination of reductions in state subsidies, increased enrollment, decreased state appropriations and a desire by both the school board and the community to maintain programming has resulted in an overall 3.12 percent increase over the current budget. That is an overall 5.51 percent increase to taxpayers, according to the budget document.

In addition, Lincolnville's share of the budget is $1.6 million, an increase of $51,399 (3.30 percent) over the current budget. In contrast, Appleton's share increased $11,521 (2.80 percent), Camden's increased $190,016 (5.34 percent), Hope's increased $25,812 (4.77 percent) and Rockport's increased $250,953 (7.09 percent).

As for state allocations, all but Rockport's decreased. Rockport's went up 1.49 percent, Appleton's decreased minus 2.57 percent, Camden's is minus 0.16 percent, Hope's is minus 0.71 percent and Lincolnville's is minus 2.10 percent.

Nutter said that in addition to realizing future potential energy efficiencies through conversion from oil to propane fuel, changes to the school's air recovery system and using wood pellets as an alternative fuel, changes to LED lights and work by students on solar energy possibilities could also bring savings in the coming years.

On the revenue side, she said that there are ongoing talks with a group in St. George, which is gauging the district's willing to take students, for a fee, should the town withdraw from their school district, RSU 13.

"They would pay for their own transportation, a portion of the debt service on the new building and special education costs as part of student tuition," said Nutter. "A contract would be for 10 years, with a minimum of 15 students and a maximum of 30, and the contract would be reviewed after two years."

Nutter said that the school board has approved the plan thus far, but that the final plan would require voter approval at the polls.

A contested issue remains the school's participation in vocational education as a member of Region 8. Cathy Hardy spoke up and asked Nutter about continuing to send Five Town CSD students to Mid-Coast School of Technology, which has proven to be a costly line in the budget.

"When will that contract be null and void?" asked Hardy.

Nutter said that the school district is part of Region 8 "by statute" and will remain as such until the statute is changed or the district goes through the process to withdraw, which would require coming up with a different way to offer career, technical and hands-on education.

"The cost for vocational education is up $100,000 this year and has caused considerable concern for us," said Nutter. "Rather than basing shares on juniors and seniors, it would be an advantage to us if Region 8 based local share on the full school, grades 9-12. We graduate 93 percent of our students, and how we deal with students who graduate in three years may not be the same in other schools."

Nutter said it would also help the Five Town CSD if part of the share determination was based on usage, the number of students each district sends to MCST.

"But that's not favored by the other superintendents," said Nutter. "It's very complex and hard to make changes and we have to rely on other people to agree with the change."

Hardy said that the "whole system is flawed as structured."

"There is no incentive for other to change if Camden Camden is paying the disproportionate cost," said Hardy.

But Nutter said she felt progress has been made in the debate, and that the option is to look at other ways to provide technical education to Five Town CSD students.

Following the discussion about the high school budget, Lesley Devoe spoke as a member of the Recreation Commission, and questioned Hardy, a member of the Lincolnville Budget Committee, about money not being allocated to the Commission as requested.

She said it appeared that money was removed for the Commission's budget, and given to other groups.

"We like to have money left in the budget to cover some of the unexpected expenses we may have, we like to maintain a 'hoard it under the pillow' mentality," said Devoe.

Hardy first commended the Recreation Commission for its great work.

"There is no committee in town that has done a better job with less money than the recreation committee," said Hardy. "But when we see carryovers and extra money in your budget, in the various lines, we see there is no need to put additional money in. I have a problem with you coming to ask for more."

But Kinney told Hardy that there is a concern that the budget committee is making "radical changes" in the town's way of budgeting.

He said that taking money appropriated by the voters for recreation, and spending it on septage work is not spending the money as the townspeople approved it to be spent.

"It may be legally permissible, but it may not be morally right to do," said Kinney. "Enhancement and maintenance money have been kept separate. We try to make sure we apply raised money to the area it's raised for. So if money is raised for improving the fields, and money is spent on the ball field, and then on the soccer field, that all falls under the athletic field line. We don't spend athletic field money on septic work."

After listening to Devoe and Don Fullington talk about some of the enhancements on the Recreation Commission's docket, including replacing docks, the selectmen voted to authorize Kinney to work with the Commission to "get the docks up and running as soon as possible."

Devoe said there is also work underway to install a speed buoy and swimming buoys in the pond, to slow traffic and keep boats out of the area where swimmers are.

Selectman Jason Trundy suggested the Commission talk to the neighbors and get their approval and Gerry recommended bringing the Boat Club into the discussion and getting their input and approval.

"We are trying to use the field and the water more than we have, including a hockey league and starting up a 55 and over softball league this summer, and we have money in the budget for a lot of the things we are working on, but we are also seeking donations of used equipment and people to help coach," said Devoe. "We will continue to work with Dave on these things."

And finally on the agenda was an introductory presentation by Gerry, who in addition to serving on the Select Board is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, member of the Memorial Day Parade Committee and commander of American Legion Post 30 in Camden. Gerry said that a group of citizens has begun to develop a concept for a Veterans Memorial to be created and sited on the former Millington property in Lincolnville.

The parcel is located between the library and Breezemere Park, and owned by the town.

"We have formed a committee to work on this project, and we are not looking to have the town put in any money," said Gerry. "The only thing the town needs to do is to agree to allow this to be put on the bit of town land."

Should the Veterans Memorial concept by accepted, Gerry said a private contribution will pay for the memorial.

"We intend to invite representatives from a variety of town committees to sit on the committee in an advisory role, and it would include the Recreation Commission, the Conservation Commission, the Boat Club, Library Committee and Diane O'Brien of the Historical Society," said Gerry.

In addition to setting up some benches, erecting flag pole and creating a pathway leading into the memorial, Gerry said there has been talk of moving the existing memorials in town to this location. It's a discussion they anticipate having at some point, he said.

Selectman David Barrows asked if there would be environmental concerns with siting the memorial on the parcel that previously was part of a hazardous materials cleanup project.

"As long as we adhere to some rules, there would be no further cleanup needed in terms of environmental cleanup," said Kinney.

A citizen inquired if there would be parking and a sidewalk, and Gerry said yes, to both.

"Yes, I envision parking. But whether that works out, I'm not sure. I can envision two handicapped spots, but anyone else can park in the public parking lot below in the park and walk," said Gerry. "The two spots and the memorial itself will be ADA compliant and wheelchair accessible."

As for the sidewalk, Gerry said that is incorporated into the larger plan as well. He said he wants to work on getting people between Breezemere Park and the library and beyond.

 In other town news:

• Jim Dunham of the Lincolnville Community Alliance updated the board on the proposed installation of a crosswalk from the boat club to the library, and the installation of “Lincolnville Center” signage at four entry points, including Route 52 (Belfast Road), Route 173 (Woodmans Mill Road) west of the center, Route 235 (Hope Road) near the town office, and Route 173 (Woodmans Mill Road) east of the center and Norton Pond Road. Dunham said that the LCA is willing to pay for design and creation of the signs, but will be asking the town to pay for the posts and installation, as well as paint striping once the crosswalk landings had been determined. Town administrator David Kinney said there was money in the town’s budget for signage and paint striping, but that the physical location of the signs, where not on town property, should be discussed and approved by private property owners, including any signs proposed for Maine Department of Transporation right of way areas. The board agreed with the idea, and suggested Kinney work with the LCA on the details.

• Approved the final draft of the Special Town Meeting warrant for the May 20 meeting to address the Lincolnville Central School budget.

• Approved the final draft of the Annual Town Meeting warrant for June 10/12.

• Approved a motion to authorize the Maine Department of Transportation to detour Route 173 traffic onto Youngtown Road for one day between June 22 and Aug. 29, or on a day prior to June 22 if the road can be left open to traffic until 8:30 a.m. and then reopened by 3 p.m.

• Approved the draft town office use policy to limit use to government entities and with no limit on the time allowed. Because the office is new and so far the requests to use it have been few, town administrator David Kinney said the policy would likely need to remain a moving target, and revisited over time.

• Approved the motion authorizing town administrator David Kinney to execute any necessary paperwork to finalize the sale of town property on South Cobbtown Road to Wesley and Emily Dean.

• Set the date for the next regularly scheduled second Select Board meeting of the month of May for Monday, June 2, due to conflicts with the Memorial Day holiday and Five Town CSD budget meeting, both later in May.

• Set a public hearing date on the proposed Fireworks Ordinance for Thursday, May 22 at 6:30 p.m.

Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or 706-6655.