Article posted Thursday, October 18, 2012 10:44am

Welcome to “Notes from the Grove” providing information about Liberty Grove Town government to residents and visitors.

• Due to scheduling conflicts the Finance Committee will meet on October 23 at 6 pm to continue working on next years budget. The Finance Committee was faced with paring down approximately $400,000 from the requested budgets from various committees to come in under the cap placed on municipalities. The town now has a total assessed value, as determined by the state, of $1,000,451,900.

• The most expensive budget item for Liberty Grove, as it is for most towns, is the maintenance of highways. The Highway Committee is now working with a rolling five-year plan for roads in need of major maintenance. Four roads were identified to be paved in 2013 by the committee with a total cost for asphalt of $593,000. The Finance Committee will consider putting two of the paving projects on the 2014 calendar. Isle View Road is scheduled for 2013 with an estimated asphalt cost of $260,000.

• New this year in budget considerations is the segregating of Room Tax money into a separate fund to be used for projects that enhance tourism in the town and bring more tourism dollars into the town. Liberty Grove is estimated to receive about $60,000 in room tax money which could be utilized in 2013. A number of non-profit organizations have requested funds. The committee discussed their request for monies to help pay for a business co-coordinator in the amount of $20,000 and year around office space. The committee will recommend to the board the utilization of office space in the North Fire Station as space is available there.

• In office voting for the November election continues through November 2. Absentee ballots must be received by November 1. The voting poll at the Town Hall will be open 7 am to 8 pm on Election Day November 6.

• The 2013 Budget hearing is scheduled for November 12 beginning at 6 pm at the Town Hall.