ETNA, Maine — Residents here did away with their town manager and chopped spending in several categories Saturday in an apparent reaction to being fed up with rising taxes.
With the will of the voters clear, the focus in this town of about 1,000 people now turns to adjusting town services to the budget and making the transition to life without a paid manager.
Evelyn Serval, who has been Etna town manager for about five years, has up to one year to part ways with the town, according to Saturday’s 65-35 vote in favor of eliminating her position.
“I have one year left, providing the board doesn’t get rid of me sooner,” said Serval. “Somehow I’ve ended up being the one at fault for everything … and I don’t think it’s fair. I don’t know how they’re going to run the town with the budget they’ve passed.”
Serval and the Board of Selectmen proposed a 2010 municipal budget of $709,274, which would have been a 3 percent decrease from the current year, not including public schools or county government expenses. At town meeting Saturday, led by a series of motions made by incoming Selectwoman Vicky Donaldson, residents cut nearly another $67,000 in spending from the 2010 budget, which takes effect July 1. That leaves the bottom line on the 2010 budget at $642,383.
“In this economy, you need to set a low number and then work toward that number,” said Donaldson. “The Board of Selectmen wasn’t doing its job. That’s when we got angry and said enough is enough.”
Donaldson, who was formerly an Etna selectwoman for 10 years and who was re-elected last week after a two-year absence, said controversy around town government erupted last fall when property tax bills reflected a surprise 41 percent tax increase. The increase was due mostly to ramped-up spending for road improvements and a decision to stop using surplus funds to reduce taxes, both of which were decisions made at previous town meetings, said Serval.
Donaldson said she has been studying Etna’s budget since then and comparing it to other towns, resulting in a list of spending cuts she recommended at Saturday’s town meeting. They included:
• Government operations, which include salaries, were cut from $102,000 to $90,000. This might result in the town office being open fewer hours, said Serval.
• The town office account, which includes upkeep and operating expenses for town-owned property, was cut from $18,000 to $12,550.
• The Fire Department budget was cut from $37,000 to $25,000.
• The public safety account, which includes among other things streetlights, the animal control officer and code enforcement officer, was cut from $17,651 to $15,625.
• A professional training account, used by staff and members of various town committees, was cut from $20,900 to $14,500.
• Contributions to Newport Public Library and Simpson Memorial Library in Carmel, which in the current year totaled $1,050, were cut to zero. That means residents will be responsible for purchasing nonresident library cards.
• All donations to nonprofit organizations, such as the Newport Food Bank and paying for portable restrooms at the town landing, were eliminated, saving $2,775.
The effects of the cuts made Saturday will be worked out by the Board of Selectmen in the coming months, beginning at 6 p.m. Monday at the town office.
“The town budget needs to be on the agenda at every single meeting, and it hasn’t been,” said Donaldson. “I intend to change that.”
The move to eliminate the town manager position originated with a petition circulated by Dwight “Dewey” Grant. Serval said Grant’s petition was the result of a long-festering personal dispute between them, but Grant said it was about the budget.
“Yes, we’ve had our run-ins,” said Grant. “I wanted to cut taxes, and there are a lot of people in this town who feel the same way. It’s not a personal thing with Evelyn.”
Serval said she feels she has become a scapegoat but will continue to serve the town to the best of her ability.
“I’ve tried very hard to do what the board has asked me to do in the past,” she said. “I’ll make my remaining tenure here as positive as I can; I know there are some people out there who support me.”
Serval said she already is looking for another job, but not as a town manager.
“I’ve had my fill, thanks,” she said. “I don’t enjoy the mud-slinging.”
