KINGFIELD -- The selectmen met last Monday afternoon, Dec. 29 and the majority of discussions revolved around the upcoming budget for 2009.

Administrative Assistant Greg Davis reported that the budget had not changed all that much. In typical fashion, outside requests were denied by selectmen including such appeals from the American Red Cross, children's centers, Community Concepts and other agencies.

The selectpersons present, Neal McCurdy and John Dill, did agree to present the voters on March 7 with the decision to either accept or deny a request from the Kingfield snowmobile club to fund $3,000 toward trail improvements.

Davis noted that although most departments remained flat, heating oil, fuel and sand and salt would raise municipal budgets in affected departments.

Board members also denied an employee matching benefit increase for town employees to jump from three to five percent although the Maine Municipal Association recommends the increase. McCurdy said that although the MMA recommended it, he felt the town was not ready to accept that kind of increase. Dill said that discussions regarding the matter can continue.

A date of Jan. 20 was set for a Special Town meeting to allow voters the opportunity to hear and decide if the selectmen should reduce their obligation to the Maine Municipal Bond Bank. Originally, the cost for the project to build a wastewater treatment facility for the Poland Spring Bottling facility was estimated at $1,040,000. Upon completion, the selectmen were pleased to announce the debt obligation of only $610,000.

In other business, the board accepted a bid of $10,000 from Chuck Twitchell to build a new handicap accessible ramp for Webster Hall to meet ADA standards. The new ramp, according to selectmen will not replace the old one, but rather add another accessibility route to meet ADA compliance.

After many sessions in selectman's meetings, the board accepted a written labor policy for town employees. It also set the date of Jan. 20 for additional talks on the transfer station budget.

The selectmen agreed to hear future dialog about the possibilities of Wi-Fi Internet access for area businesses and residents as a possible TIF expense. A list of names willing to research such possibilities will be presented to the selectmen at future meetings.