ORANGE — Town Administrator Diana Schindler does not expect much heated debate at Monday’s town meeting, as the proposed $19.2 million budget for the next fiscal year represents just a 1.85 percent increase and sits well within the town’s revenues.
Voters at Ralph C. Mahar Regional School will be asked to adopt a $19,243,302 operating budget, with $10,442,446 designated for education. Town meeting is set to start at 7 p.m.
Schindler said proposed education spending is going up $383,799 due mostly to an increase in special education costs.
She explained the proposed $51,172 increase in police salaries and wages is a 3.5 percent hike included as part of a collective bargaining agreement now in its third year. Police Chief Craig Lundgren’s salary would increase from $87,712 to $93,264 if the recommended figures are adopted.
Schindler said the budget-making process she shares with the Orange Finance Committee and town selectmen has been much more collaborative than in past years and she feels that will lead to fewer issues at town meeting.
“I think what’s exciting about this budget is it keeps all of the positive growth, in terms of staffing, that we’ve had,” she said, sitting behind her desk at town hall. “It adds money in public works, which we desperately need, but it’s still only raising the bottom line by less than 2 percent.”
One article in the town warrant asks if voters wish to transfer $75,000 from available surplus to a stabilization fund that contains $35,000. Schindler said the fund dwindled when the national economy tanked in 2008 and it needs to be rebuilt.
You can reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder or 413-772-0261, ext. 258. On Twitter: @DomenicPoli