About 90 residents at the town meeting Saturday elected Amy Chapman to the Board of Selectmen.

Town Manager Kim Sparks said all of the warrant articles were approved as written, except for funds to support the operation of the transfer station, which was reduced to $105,000.

Residents voted to raise $34,240 for the community safety budget; $8,000 to maintain town parks; $3,500 for the recreation department; $83,850 for the fire department; and $475,000 for the highway department. Sparks said the board created a budget committee to help them through the process.

"We all found them to be very helpful," Sparks said. "I think our residents appreciated it too, knowing there was another group looking at the numbers and asking us questions."

Sparks said the meeting went well, and residents asked good questions about the budget.

The longest discussion centered on the change from a calendar year to a fiscal year. Residents chose two dates for tax collection: Oct. 1 and April 1, 2010.

"There was a lot of discussion about how to improve cash flow. We wanted to help people understand the process. It is confusing," Sparks said.

"We are trying to deal with a revenue shortfall, keeping taxes down and maintaining the same level of service. It's quite a balancing act."

In the selectman's race, Chapman received 45 votes. Brian Dunham received 31 votes, and Shawn Huston received 7 votes.

The seat was vacated by former Selectman Loretta Mikols, who decided not to run for re-election.

Staci Randvoss was elected to the board of directors for School Administrative District 44. Walter Brough chose not to run for the school board position. Sparks said 84 residents cast their votes.

"It was a wonderful day," Sparks said. "The town meeting was well attended for us. It was a wonderful time of community. It was a fun day. It was a long day. We look forward to it every year, and we are glad when it's over."