MECHANIC FALLS – The proposed purchase of School Union 29 offices here is expected to generate some discussion at the annual town meeting Tuesday, May 20.

Superintendent Robert Wall and the administrative staff occupy space in a two-story building at 24 Elm St. If voters approve the $250,000 purchase, Union 29 would own the offices under a three-town agreement, but not the building and land it’s on. The offices would be considered condominium units.

To finalize approval of the purchase, all three towns in Union 29 must approve and enter an interlocal agreement, according to Town Manager Dana Lee. The other two towns, Minot and Poland, already have voted to enter into the agreement.

One of the reasons for the purchase is that the state only provides subsidy for the superintendent’s quarters if the school union or district owns the space occupied.

“People have thoughts one way or another about that building, so we’ll see how that plays out,” Lee said.

Of the 58 articles on the warrant, it appears that few might generate controversy, he said. “It’s the same warrant articles that we always have. There’s nothing unique about this year,” Lee said.

“For the first time, two teachers and one ed tech were cut from the staff at Elm Street School,” he said. There is speculation that some people might want to scrutinize the budget to find ways to retain the positions.

While there are no warrant articles pertaining to the renovation of the town hall, Lee said there could be some discussion about the debt service for the renovations.

Voters will decide between budget packages prepared by the Town Council and the Budget Committee. The council’s budget recommendation calls for an $86,550 increase over last year’s spending that translates into a .9-mill tax hike.

The Budget Committee is recommending a budget that would result in an estimated 1.25-mill tax hike. The current mill rate is 26.2. The difference between the council’s budget and the higher proposal from the budget committee is the structure of the $640,000 in debt service for the $840,000 renovation project at the municipal building.

The Budget Committee proposes to pay more on the debt the first year and less over the life of the bond while the council wants the debt service spread out evenly.

The town meeting will begin at 6 p.m., in the auditorium at Elm Street School.