By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

HARRISON — When Town Manager Tim Pellerin started developing Harrison’s 2020-21 municipal budget, he penciled in a projected 5% hike in the SAD 17 tax.

When COVID-19 struck and paralyzed the economy, Pellerin hoped that the SAD 17 budget might be adjusted and the town see a minor increase, say 1 to 2%.

It’s not happening.

Under the current draft proposal, Harrison will see the largest dollar increase across the district, at $153,0033 which represents a 4.3% hike. Harrison’s proposed assessment rises from $3.5 million to $3,654,749. Neighboring Waterford was hit with the highest percentage spike at 5.78%, which translates to $121,956.

As for the other towns:

Hebron, up 1.39% or $11,825

Norway, up 1.37% or $57,262

Otisfield, down $48,390

Oxford, up 1.16% or $47,342

Paris, down $73,248

West Paris, up 1.97% or $19,728

The proposed budget is up 4.75%, $1,945,196. School Board directors will vote on the proposed budget next month, Pellerin said.

For Harrison, the cost of education represents 51% of the town’s budget. 

When the local budget process started, the opening figure was an increase of 6%, but it was whittled down to about 3.8 or 3.9%. Then, the pandemic hit. Pellerin went back to the drawing board. By using $100,000 from Capital Roads and $136,000 from Capital Reserve, Pellerin achieved a no increase budget line.

“We felt obligated to help out,” he said.

But, Pellerin was also realistic to note that “we can’t keep going to the well.” Roads will need to be fixed, and other projects will need to be addressed.

Pellerin told the Selectboard at last Thursday’s virtual meeting that the town is in “good shape” in terms of the budget right now and hopes reopening of the town office will see revenue collection become a steady stream over a trickle.

If everything had remained in shutdown mode, however, the picture might have become bleak. Pellerin showed the impact of the school tax on the town, noting that it costs about $400,000 a month to operate municipal government. Of that figure, $300,000 goes to SAD 17. To put it in perspective, Pellerin said the town would need to layoff all 18 full-time employees (including himself) for 18 weeks to cover the cost of the school bill.

The sharp school tax increase rankled Selectboard Chairman Matt Frank, who suggested that Harrison voters should vote “no” on the school budget to send a message. 

“It won’t make a difference because we don’t have the votes,” Frank added.

Harrison accounts for 9% of the SAD 17 student population, but pays 18% of the budget, Frank pointed out.

As Harrison prepares to send its proposed municipal budget to taxpayers in the form of a referendum ballot vote on warrant articles (a first try at a secret ballot over a town meeting) on July 14, Pellerin already knows there will be less anticipated revenue headed his way.

In a conference call with other managers last Tuesday spearheaded by the Greater Portland Council of Government, officials were made aware of three areas of expected reductions — state revenue sharing, homestead exemption, and school support from the state. 

“We’re preparing for it,” Pellerin said.

Because of the COVID-19 shutdown resulting in town office closure, the revenue stream tied to excise and property tax collection slowed to a trickle over the two-month span. Revenue was down 30% and as of last Thursday, tax collection was behind $502,000.

With the Harrison Town Office reopening on Monday, Pellerin hoped to see collection improvement.

“I surmise that a number of people don’t like to pay by credit card,” he said. “They feel safer by check.”

While awaiting for revenues to catch up, the town has been very judicious in terms of spending. As the end of the fiscal year approaches (June 30), the expenditure side of the budget is at 85.63%.

In other business:

Tightening up the accounting. One calling card of Tim Pellerin since he took over the manager’s job has been operating the town in a very transparent way.

So, when it came time for the annual audit, Pellerin went with a “government standard” audit over a “general” one.

“It’s more rigorous,” Pellerin said. “It’s about being accountable.”

What the auditor — Ron Beaulieu & Company of Portland — found were nine deficiencies in Harrison’s accounting practices. While all of the numbers added up and balanced, the town was flagged mostly for deficiencies in regards to record keeping — plainly, failing to “post items in a timely fashion,” Pellerin told the board last Thursday night during a virtual meeting.

“There was no issue with financial tracking,” he said. “We need to clean up a few policies…These are preventative measures so we don’t make mistakes.”

Working with the town’s financial director Laurie Griffin-Poland, Pellerin developed a worksheet that clearly defines purchases. Pellerin noted that purchases over $1,000 require his clearance first, while department heads can buy smaller ticketed, needed items as part of their yearly budgets.

“The policy changes will result in better transparency,” he added. “We closely watch our expenses. I keep a close reign, but not micromanage. We don’t spend at free will anymore. Do I know everything (spent) under $1,000? No, but I will research it (if need be). Do I know about everything over $1,000? Yes, I do,” Pellerin said.

With the “system fixed” and the town prepared to “move on” following the $8,652 audit, Pellerin sought requests for auditing services. Out of five bids, the town considered two proposals — RHR Smith of Buxton and Hoisington & Bean PA of Norway. The two firms previously worked for the Town of Harrison, Hoisington some 10 years ago, while RHR Smith was the previous auditor before Beaulieu & Company were called in to do the “government” overview.

Although RHR Smith was slightly higher in proposed cost ($7,100 to Hoisington’s $6,800), the board decided to go with the Buxton firm. Pellerin praised the work of RHR’s senior auditor manager Christina Howe, who had handled Harrison’s account, describing her at “very thorough” and “very professional.” It is a two-year contract.

“Either one would serve us well,” Pellerin added.

As an aside, Pellerin said one of the lessons he learned early in his manager’s career from a mentor was, “I follow the auditor’s advice and I follow an attorney’s advice; it will keep me out of jail.”

Watch your speed reminder. New solar-powered speed limit signs were recently installed, two along the Norway Road and one near the Bridgton town line. A fourth sign is mounted onto a trailer that can be positioned in other areas if speeding complaints are received.

If a motorist exceeds the posted limit, the sign flashes and indicates the driver’s speed. It also records the make of the vehicle (sedan, sports utility or truck), along with the date and time. Officials can then download the information, study traffic patterns and alert law enforcement, which could lead to adjustments in radar details.

Appointments approved include Selectboard Chairman Matt Frank serving a three-term on the ecomaine board; and Kathy Laplante filling an empty seat on the Scholarship Committee.

Quick takes from Manager Pellerin: One measure to help employees protect themselves as the town office reopened Monday was purchasing “sanitizing wands.” Pellerin said the ultraviolet wands were purchased through Amazon at a cost of $27 each. Two ionization air purifiers were also bought to keep workers and the public safe. Specific procedures regarding access to the office have been created and posted on the town’s website. Face masks are required.

“We will work with people if they have medical conditions. We’ve covered our bases from top to bottom, looking to create a triple layer of protection,” Pellerin said. “We hope people will be respectful.”

Turnout on opening day was “light,” but Pellerin said activity was “a little busier” on Tuesday.

The Selectboard approved Pellerin’s request to close the town office at noon on Fridays to allow staff to clean and disinfect. 

The Public Works crew installed two culverts, patched potholes and started ditch work on Pound Road. This week’s work schedule included sweeping along starting ditching and summer projects.

The transfer station had 2,514 visits in April; there were 10 loads of household waste, three loads of recyclables with 2% contamination, and five loads of demolition debris.

On the Rec Department front, planning continues regarding holding summer camp; there will be no 5K race this year; the RADR complex is open (reminder, playground equipment is disinfected in the morning, but not throughout the day, and those showing any symptoms of illness should stay home and stay off playground equipment).

The Animal Control officer handled the following calls: one nuisance dog, one dog-at-large, one missing cat, one loose dog and one found dog.

The Sheriff’s Department handled 72 incidents, eight traffic violations and four cases assigned to the Detective Division.

Next meeting of the Selectboard is Thursday, June 11 at 6 p.m.