HANOVER – Residents at the annual
town meeting Oct. 20 will act on 39 articles that, if passed, would raise about $27,000 less than the current budget. They
will also decide whether to adopt a new Comprehensive Plan.

The meeting begins at 6
p.m. in the Town House on the Howard Pond Road.

Town Clerk Clem Worcester said the
current tax rate of $7.15 per $1,000 valuation will likely drop
slightly because the municipal budget, as presented, aims to raise
$189,635, down 12 percent from the current year's figure of $216,175.

The Comprehensive Plan, last written in
1974, is a historic document now, Worcester said. The new plan,
written by a town committee with the help of the Androscoggin Valley
Council of Governments over a two-year period, incorporates a
variety of state land use laws, as well as the town's subdivision
ordinance, other municipal ordinances and any proposals for wind farm
developments. None have surfaced, so far.

Other parts of the document include
future plans for recreational opportunities such as trails, and a
clearer designation of areas favored for future commercial
development.

Budget changes include $22,000 less for
roads, $16,000 less for solid waste disposal, and $2,500 less for
appraisal and mapping. Among the proposed increases are those for
office expenses, utilities, recreation and county taxes.

Worcester said the town just completed
a total property revaluation, which accounts for fewer dollars needed
for mapping and appraisals. Carryovers for road work and solid waste
disposal account for reduced requests for this year.

A larger recreation request, at $2,100,
compared with $600 for the current year, includes funds for paving
the tennis courts and replacing a float at Howard Pond.

Chairman Brenda
Gross is seeking another three-year term. She has served the town
for about 25 years. Worcester, the town clerk, treasurer and tax
collector, will seek another one-year term. He has held the combined
positions for more than a decade.

Tax bills will likely be mailed out by
the end of October.

A regular selectman's meeting will
precede the town meeting at 5 p.m.

eadams@sunjournal.com