GRAY – Voters will be asked to approve 19 warrant articles at the annual town meeting Saturday, June 5. The meeting begins at 10 a.m. at Stimson Hall on Route 26.

The municipal tax rate would go down to $3.72 per thousand from $4.01 if voters approve the warrant as presented. That rates does not include costs for schools and county government.

Voters will be asked to approve raising $4,329,968 from taxes and appropriating $5,039,968 for the 2004-05 municipal budget. Surplus funds of $710,000 will offset a portion of what taxpayers must raise.

Of the $2,984,533 in surplus, $1.9 million will be set aside for a two-month operation cushion plus one month of emergency expense. In addition, $174,533 is earmarked for noncollected revenues.

Article 13 calls for $300,00 for bridge replacements.

A transfer of $105,000 is requested from the undesignated balance to fund public works equipment and vehicle expenses.

Article 14 asks voters to transfer $116,000 from the surplus funds for a public safety capital investment reserve.

Finally, $138,000 from the undesignated balance would pay off the remaining two years of the loan to buy the old post office building.

Voters will asked to fund a one-year contract for $110,000 to cover a 40-hour-a-week law-enforcement position. If approved, it would add 17 cents to the tax rate next year. Gray relies solely on rural patrol provided by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department and Maine State Police.