Council OKs budget

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON  — The Houlton Town Council approved an $8,515,259 proposed budget during its recap session Monday evening prior to the January 15 public hearing. The new figure falls between the town manager’s submission and the one suggested by the Board of Budget Review (BBR). The total difference  between Monday’s council recommendation and the BBR’s, amounted to $14,000 over three categories.
    After brief discussion, the councilors agreed to drop the BBR’s suggested administration line from $428,020 to $418,0020 which was $15,000 over the town manager’s submission. The $10,000 difference was taken from the economic development budget.
    Other changes included reverting to the town manager’s recommendation of $28,440 for health and social services, a $3,000 difference, after the councilors agreed that the previous budget had not been depleted. The councilors also agreed to keep the budget line for Aroostook Area Aging at $4,000 and not increase it to $5,000.
    Chairman Paul Cleary presided over the meeting attended by Councilors Brian Donnelly, Walter Goodrich, Nancy Ketch, Paul Romanelli and Sue Tortello and Town Manager Douglas Hazlett.