E-mail this page Reader Comments (below)

Blethen Maine News Service Sunday, March 11, 2007

Residents began their annual town meeting by voting to increase the property tax levy limit by $48,000.

The state-mandated limit provides a spending cap that voters must override in order to pass a budget in which fiscal growth outpaces the state's growth formula.

The vote, held by paper ballot, overwhelmingly approved raising the limit, clearing the way for increased spending in this year's budget. According to selectmen, most of the increase is a result of higher costs for sand, salt and trucking in the winter road work budget.

This budget included a raise for the town treasurer, from $5,000 to $6,000 annually; and $10,000 for legal fees.

An increased budget for the community building, which included additional funds for a future roof repair, was rejected. The requested amount was cut in half based on the previous year's spending, with several residents asking that the cost of needed repairs be researched before being a vote next year.

The local snowmobile club's $1,000 request was rejected.

Voters approved a motion to increase the appropriation for the town's association with the Mount Vernon Rescue Squad from $3,000 to $3,500.