It was suggested that the town explore other options for a salt and sand building.
NEW SHARON – Voters rejected spending $272,760 to build a sand and salt storage building by a 57-34 vote Saturday.
It would have to go to special town meeting, Moderator Cyndi Pratt told the 100 residents after some research.
Voters also rejected spending $50,000 to buy 2.23 acres on Route 2 to build a fire station and possibly a town office in the future. The vote was 64-22.
Though the site is accessible to the town water supply and easy access off the highway, most residents who spoke said they’d rather explore more options, including town property.
Incumbent Selectmen Jim Smith, Maynard Webster and Bill Lane won re-election. Smith was uncontested. Webster was re-elected 55-11 over John Tolman Jr. Lane held his seat in a 49-20 vote over Wade Harris.
Road Commissioner Kevin Brann was re-elected 56-19 over challenger John Snyder. Other incumbent officials were re-elected with no opposition, including SAD 9 Director Greg Webber.
When it came to the article to appropriate $155,800 from the sand and salt building reserve fund and borrow $116,960 with the hopes of being reimbursed by the state for 43 percent, several residents balked.
“I just think it’s ridiculous to spend $250,000 of town money to build a sand and salt building,” said resident Robert Ames.
Instead Ames suggested using some money in reserve to put a pad with a brim at the site and explore plans to build something at a more reasonable cost.
Several residents, including Fred Hardy and Greg Webber, said the town shouldn’t rely on the state for its match of the building.
“You cannot count on the state,” Webber said. “It’s the town that needs to decide. Don’t count on the state for anything.”
“I think we should move ahead and get the best deal and trust you guys to get it,” resident Ed Ferreira told selectmen.
Webster said selectmen want to construct the building on a town-owned, state-approved site as a long-term investment. It would allow the town to move the sand and salt pile off private property that would help in awarding the snow plowing and winter road maintenance contract, he said.
By the end of the meeting, voters approved raising about $517,746 in all by taxation to operate the town, about $45,000 more than last year.
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