"Some years it's probably not going to be as positive, so I thought I'd come on the good years too," King said of the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District (CSD) budget, which shows a decrease of nearly $97,000 to Boothbay's assessment. "It really reflects flat purchasing expenditure. We try to avoid wish lists and we try to move things around."

As an example of shifting money within the budget, King pointed to the district's fuel costs. The CSD Board of Trustees recently upped their fuel appropriation from $1.25 to $1.50 for 72,000 gallons of fuel.

To make up for the shortfall, King moved money from the unemployment line, not foreseeing a need to raise more, and reduced their interest on short-term loans.

With a need to revamp the high school's now antiquated heating system, King predicted that future years' budgets might not show such decreases.

"It's (an old) system now and I think it would be prudent and proactive to replace it before it goes down," she said, adding that the system affects 62 percent of instructional space.

In other business, selectmen gave their unanimous approval for the town's public works department to begin seeking bids for a new dump truck and backhoe.

The bids marks the first step in a 10-year capital plan adopted last year that will see the department receive $100,000 a year for capital purchases.

Currently, the department is seeking to replace its GMC 3500 one-ton truck with a GMC 5500, allowing for a greater gross vehicle weight rating when equipped with a plow and sander.

The bids are for cab and chassis only. A separate bidding process will ensue for the truck's outfitting.

Selectmen also approved the Boothbay Fire Department's request to begin its bidding process for a new International brand 2,500 gallon dual tanker and pumper. The preliminary bids only reflect the cab and engine.

The department would likely sell its two existing pumpers and move their 1983 tanker to the East Boothbay station.

"We spend a lot of money every year just trying to keep water in it," said Anderson.