7077-R2_NewGloucester_2019_AnnualReport_Web

ANNUAL REPORT Town Manager – Letter of Transmittal

To the Citizens of the Town of New Gloucester, I am pleased to report that for the fifth year in a row we have been able to add to the undesignated fund. This is in due to the department heads’ diligent, conservative spending habits and collecting unanticipated revenue amounts above what was projected. As a town, we collected an additional $105,679 in state revenues, part of which was the FEMA funding reimbursement from the Halloween 2017 storm, and an additional $105,950 in Town revenues. As of the end of the fiscal year, the balance in the Undesignated Fund is $4,046,914. Again, this year that means that, not only did we not have to use any of the undesignated fund, but we added $130,501 to this fund. During the 2019 fiscal year, we had one special town meeting. During this meeting one zoning ordinance change were approved as a means to come into compliance with law; a moratorium on large solar arrays was approved; an ordinance for senior tax assistance was defeated; and an update to the fire and rescue department ordinance was defeated. Engineering work on the Stevens Brook Dam/Culvert project was completed and the RFP went out to bid. This project for construction in fiscal year 2021. The culvert is failing and the fire pond needs to be dredged not only for fire protection, but also to also assure adequate oxygen levels for the stocked fish. During the 2019 fiscal year we had a few staffing changes. We now have a full- time Parks and Recreation Director, Morgan Rocheleau. Morgan comes to us with more than 10 years’ experience as program director. Also new this past year is Chief Toby Martin. Toby brings more than 30-years’ experience. Both these new team members have embraced their challenges with vigor and enthusiasm. Looking forward to fiscal year 2020. The New Public Works Facility will be completed and process of deciding the fate of the former location will begin.

Respectfully submitted,

Carrie Castonguay Town Manager

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