Sabattus changes town hall hours, prepares for annual meeting
Apr. 24—SABATTUS — As the town prepares to go into its budget discussions in advance of their annual meeting in May, officials announced this week that the Town Office will be closed on Fridays starting next week.
Not everybody is a fan.
Some residents took to social media earlier in the week to complain about the move. Some pointed out that not all town business can be conducted online, so limiting hours at Town Hall is going to be an inconvenience for many.
"With all these town hall changes," wrote one woman, on the Sabattus Maine Residents Facebook Page, "at what point will Sabattus residents be able to pay their sewer and water bills online? We are in 2024; it should be an option with the limited hours our town hall has."
Previously, the town offices had been opened a half day on Fridays.
While the Town Office will be closed, there will still be staff working there. Town officials hope to use Fridays as an opportunity for staff to get caught up on work that doesn't involve direct service to the public.
Town officials are preparing a proposed budget in advance of the annual meeting May 23.
According to Town Manager Tim Kaine, the town is looking at a $750,000 increase in its operational budget, an increase that will allow the town to add staff to its public safety departments.
Town officials have been pondering the idea of hiring three more police officers. The department is staffed by two full-time officers and two reserves. The proposed budget also would cover needed police equipment.
The town is also looking into hiring a full-time fire chief to replace interim Fire Chief Robert Gayton, who has been running the department since May of last year after the previous chief quit following disputes with town leaders.
The town is also exploring the possibility of hiring a full-time code enforcement officer. The town has been using part-timers since their full-time code enforcement officer left last year.
"For capital accounts we would like to plan ahead and start saving funds for a townwide revaluation that may cost around $300,000," Kane said Wednesday, "and for a future firetruck purchase. We are also asking to purchase an excavator for Public Works to be funded over a five-year period and capital funding towards police equipment including tasers, body cameras and computers."
Additionally, Kane said, the town will be applying for grants and asking to borrow and spend potentially up to $2 million for road reconstruction and improvements.
"The Sabattus Pond Dam is in need of replacement," Kane added, "and the Dam Commission is asking for the amount of $385,000 to combine with funds from Greene and Wales to cover the costs."
The May 23 meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Sabattus Middle School.
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