WILTON – Taxpayers could see the lowest mill rate in five years if voters approve the municipal budget as proposed at the annual town meeting this year.
Elections will take place along with state voting at the town office Tuesday, June 8. Polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The annual town meeting will reconvene at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 14, at the Academy Hill School gymnasium.
The total proposed to be raised by taxation is $829,996. If voted as presented, that will mean a tax rate of $20.30 per $1,000 of valuation instead of the current $21.60.
Officials asked all department heads to significantly cut their budgets this year. Officials agreed not to purchase a new police cruiser or a truck for the town. In addition, two positions have been cut from the summer highway account and the sand account was cut in half.
Voters will see an increase in the police and fire equipment account to cover the cost of confined space rescue equipment.
They will be asked to take $300,000 from the town’s surplus account to lower the tax commitment.
Officials are asking for voter authorization to apply for state urgent needs and faade grants. Each grant is $100,000. Voters will also be asked to adopt the development plan of the Androscoggin Valley Region Pine Tree Zone and to designate certain areas to be included.
Voters will decide whether to enact a boat-launching ordinance. They will also see several proposed zoning ordinance changes. Voters will be asked to allow licensed junkyards in commercial zoning, add “automobile hobbyist” to the ordinance, and define automobile junkyards. They will also be asked to separate auto repair and auto sales, only allowing auto sales in commercial and industrial zones, and to accept zoning map changes.
Despite efforts from former Code Enforcement Officer Brenda Medcoff and planners, voters will see no town meeting warrant asking for an increase in the number of hours the code enforcement officer works. Town Manager Peter Nielsen said voters can still raise the issue during town meeting. Officials made an arrangement with new Code Enforcement Officer Katherine Shoaps to spread 20 hours per week over four days in an effort to make her more accessible to residents while performing her duties.
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