By Suzanne Hodgson

Staff Writer

An increase in legal fees related to a Goose Rocks Beach lawsuit and upcoming town improvements lead the reasons behind Kennebunkport’s anticipated 8 percent budget increase.

Kennebunkport Board of Selectmen and Budget Board took a first look March 4 at the town’s $6.34 million budget and allowed department heads to review their suggested budgets, said Town Manager Larry Mead.

Residents will have a chance to weigh in on whether to spend an estimated $250,000 to settle questions about who owns Goose Rocks Beach.

“It’ll give the town’s residents and voters a chance to take position on supporting the town’s efforts at preserving the public’s right to (use) Goose Rocks Beach or not,” Mead said of June’s Town Meeting. “It’s hard to put a price on the value of the beach as a resource to the town.”

Capital improvements in the town’s budget also will increase to compensate for projects delayed from last year when the budget was cut to eliminate a tax increase.

Improvements suggested in the proposed budget include replacing sidewalks on Ocean Avenue and stabilizing an embankment on the Kennebunk River at Silas Perkins Park.

Also proposed is a highway equipment reserve fund of $100,000 to replace vehicles, including two plow trucks.

More than 100, 40-year-old ailing elm trees throughout Kennebunkport may also contribute to the budget increase. Last year the town tried a less expensive treatment to guard the trees against disease, but last summer a fungus affected some of the trees. The proposed budget adds $4,000 to pay for a treatment that was successful in the past.

“We don’t know for sure, it’s certainly a possible reason for it,” Mead said of the connection between the fungus and treatment.

Mead said Kennebunkport has the second largest number of elms in the state.

On the other side of the budget ledger, revenues are expected to increase slightly, Mead said. The biggest jump in revenues comes from the excise tax, which is projected to increase by $95,000.

Mead said he anticipated a large drop in revenues last year because of the economic downturn.

“I’d rather exceed my budget projections than not meet them,” Mead said.

According to a document Mead sent to the board of selectmen and budget board, an average home valued at $400,000 would see a 2.3 percent or $56 tax increase under the proposed budget. The projection is based on the presumption of no significant changes to a RSU 21 school board budget proposal and no increase from the previous year.

Budget discussions continue next Thursday, March 18.

Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.