E-mail this page Reader Comments (below)

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Taxes will increase roughly $1 per $1,000 in valuation because of voters' decisions Saturday at the town meeting and rising county taxes, Selectman John Graf said.

About 100 voters attended the meeting, filling the Canaan Elementary School gymnasium, despite snow-and-sleet-covered roads.

Saturday morning, during the business portion of the meeting, residents voted by secret ballot to override the tax cap limit set by state law.

They also spent $31,100 to buy a quarter-acre lot next to the fire station. Fire Chief Raymond Small said the lot, known as the former Addie Chadbourne place, would provide for the town's future growth, although there are no specific plans for it now.

Voters cut funding for two new proposals -- $2,500 for a safety officer and $5,100 for health insurance for the town clerk.

Selectwoman Louise Townsend said the point of the safety officer was to prevent injuries and save the town money by eventually lowering worker-compensation premiums.

Small said he did not believe the new position would improve safety. He said accidents involving firefighters would have happened even if the town had had a safety officer.

Voters also approved putting $20,000 aside for a new library.

Voting for town officers is scheduled for Monday at the Town Hall. The only contested race on the ballot is for road commissioner. Incumbent Ray Judkins is facing challenger Raymond Small, who is also the fire chief.

- Blethen Maine News Service