BUCKSPORT — Town councilors gave their approval to the lowest total spending package for community and social agencies in five years on May 10.

The bottom line was $56,471, the lowest amount since 2007, when $56,252 was approved.

This year’s total is down sharply from last year’s total of $68,147. Councilors described that figure as an anomaly, though, because it included a one-time request from the Bucksport Healthy Communities Coalition that was $16,000 higher than usual.

Most organizations received the same amount as last year, with a few exceptions.

Child and Family Opportunities saw its funding raised from $1,200 to $2,000 after Councilor Belle Ryder noted the organization is now hosting the pre-kindergarten program for all of Regional School Unit 25 (RSU 25).

The $2,000 was a compromise figure, as the group had requested $4,000.

Councilor Byron Vinton voted against the $2,000 because it was an increase over last year’s appropriation. Vinton said because he has been critical of the RSU 25 Board for increases in its budget, he wanted to avoid municipal spending increases.

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