WELD – Townspeople have 71 articles and a proposed spending plan of about $250,000 to consider Saturday during the annual town meeting.

The proposal is about $27,000 more than last year’s spending package, said Selectman Laurie Pratt.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean an increase to taxation, she said. Some of that money could be offset by surplus and fees paid to the town.

Townspeople will consider an article to see if the town wants to enter into an agreement with SAD 9 to plow and sand the Weld Elementary School.

If townspeople agree to this, the selectmen would enter into an agreement with the district for the amount to be paid by SAD 9 for the service on a yearly basis.

The town’s warrant outlines hourly pay for employees of Weld, a town of 400 year-round residents that swells during summer months.

Only one of the hourly paid town employees is looking for an increase, according to the warrant.

The transfer station attendant is asking the hourly wage for that position be increased from $8.50 to $10.

Selectmen are recommending that it remain at its current rate of $8.50 per hour.

This year’s town report is dedicated to two couples, Pratt said, who are great citizens and take pride in the community: Richard and Meridith Minear and Don and Sandi Chipman.

On Friday, voters are able to cast ballots between 4 and 8 p.m. at the Town Office for three candidates running unopposed for four positions.

Town Clerk Carol Cochran is seeking re-election to her 29th year as clerk and 28th years as tax collector.

Incumbent Planning Board member George Brown is seeking re-election to his second five-year term.

Nancy Stowell is seeking a three-year term as selectman and assessor to replace Selectman Wayne DuBois who is not seeking re-election.

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