CARTHAGE – A near record crowd elected its first female selectman at Monday night’s annual town meeting and raised about $127,000 in a 2 -hour meeting.

Brenda Flagg, a self-employed insurance agent, was elected from the floor over Dennis Hutchinson by a vote of 26-18.

She replaces her brother-in-law Kenneth Flagg Jr. who has served the town as selectman for 18 years. He will remain as the town’s fire chief and Civil Emergency Preparedness director.

Brenda Flagg is a member of the River Valley Growth Council, the River Valley Chamber of Commerce and the town’s Comprehensive Plan Committee. She graduated from Mexico High School in 1978 and from Husson College in 1990.

She has been attending selectmen’s meetings in recent months and said she believes a person shouldn’t complain if they aren’t involved.

“I’m ready to give my time and energy to it,” she said, adding that the town’s budget committee and Board of Selectmen have always been comprised of men. She thinks it’s time for a woman to give it a try.

William Skidgell, a self-employed excavator, was elected to fill out the one year remaining in SAD 21 board member David Crutchfield’s term. Incumbent SAD 21 Director Linda Berry was re-elected to a three-year term. Also re-elected to their respective positions were town clerk and tax collector Donna Berry, treasurer Dorothy Mason, and fence viewers Arthur Hutchinson, Hurchial Noyes, Don Bradeen Sr. and Ed Berry Sr.

Residents raised about $127,000, up about 8.5 percent from this year’s municipal operating budget of $117,000. Voters agreed to raise $500 more than the $1,000 requested for maintenance of the town office.

One resident said the ventilation was horrible and uncomfortable in the office. The extra money will be used to buy an air conditioner.

Newly raised this year was $1,000 for youth recreation. The money will likely be used to repair the children’s playground adjacent to the Webb River Grange Hall. Grangers have volunteered to provide the labor.

First Selectman Steve Brown said it is hoped that the town will raise money each year for use for some kind of youth recreation project.

Residents authorized selectmen to borrow up to $25,000 to be used to build a sand and salt shed. The town already has more than $44,000 in the account, much of it from grants.

Brown said the shed may be built this year or next.

Other approved funding includes $5,200 for ambulance service, up about $550 from the current year and $3,000 more for waste disposal, bringing the total to $24,000.

Brown said the current mill rate of $22 per $1,000 valuation will likely increase. But how much isn’t known right now. He said higher valuation in the town will likely offset a steep hike. Tax bills generally go out in late autumn.

eadams@sunjournal.com