BETHEL – Selectmen unanimously approved a 48-article town meeting warrant Monday night after resisting an urge to tweak it further.

Pending voter approval of the town’s proposed $3.8 million municipal budget at the annual town meeting Wednesday, June 11, taxpayers will see a 2.5-percent mill increase, said Town Manager Scott Cole.

If voters approve two capital improvement projects totaling $1.4 million, Bethel’s current tax rate of $16.75 per $1,000 of assessed valuation could climb to between $17 and $17.50, he added.

The rate increase is driven by a proposed new $1.3 million fire station and a proposed $150,000 ambulance station expansion and rehabilitation project. The $1.4 million cost for both projects accounts for the increase from last year’s budget.

While perusing the warrant prior to signing it Monday night, selectmen revisited Article 36 after Chairman Harry Dresser Jr. expressed reservations about it.

Article 36 asks the town to authorize selectmen to accept a parcel of land from Chadbourne Tree Farms and convey all town interests in a portion of the Taylor Smith Road to Chadbourne Tree Farms, with both actions related to the northerly relocation of the Taylor Smith Road intersection with Route 26, on terms deemed acceptable to selectmen.

“What’s hidden in this is the cost of road relocation,” Dresser said, adding that the town would get stuck with the bill.

Selectman Don Bennett agreed that it’s an issue because someone will have to foot the bill, but he argued that it’s an action the town needs to take.

“There’s a safety issue there and we now have a chance to have the road in a place where it should be,” Bennett said.

“But the minute this gets voted in, we’ll lose,” Dresser argued.

Selectman Al Barth also echoed Dresser’s misgivings, albeit expressing concerns for Taylor Smith Road residents.

“What about the people who live on the Taylor Smith Road when it suddenly becomes the Bob Chadbourne Road?” he asked.

He then noted that the article’s clause “…on terms deemed acceptable to selectmen,” should give the board a say in the matter.

“Rather than delete this from the warrant, we just have to make sure that we’re hard-nosed on the terms,” he added.

Dresser, however, stuck with his forebodings.

In addition to Article 36, other items could generate considerable discussion.

Article 6 asks the town to ratify the actions of overspending $15,088 in the Fiscal Year 2003 budget. Administration topped the list with a projected overage of $14,066.

Cole said that that overdraft resulted from unexpected legal fees.

“We budgeted $15,000 for legal fees, but we spent almost $38,000,” he said.

Other account overages included $474 for Fountain, Parks and Cemetery, $462 for the ambulance garage, and $86 for municipal insurance.

However, Cole said, despite the overdraft, the town under spent $145,000 from its 2003 budget.

In addition to the fire and ambulance station projects and police coverage issue, among the other discussion-generating contenders are:

• Article 10, to raise $160,266 for the Administration Account, an increase of $10,946, which Cole attributes to a $6,000 raise given him by selectmen, and more legal fees.

• Article 48, to borrow $150,000 to replace sewer mains on Clark and Lower Main streets.

Town meeting starts at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, in the Crescent Park School cafeteria. Voting on municipal elections and referendums occurs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, in the school’s gym.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link