MEXICO – Voters in SAD 43’s four towns approved the proposed 2004-05 operating budget by a nearly 2-to-1 margin. Yes votes totaled 1,267 to no’s 695.
Rumford voted 890 yes, 461 no.
Mexico, 327 yes, 199 no.
Roxbury, 31 yes, 27 no.
Byron, 19 yes, 8 no.
The $14.3 million figure is 4.4 percent higher than the current year’s operating budget, largely because of staff salary hikes averaging 2 percent, higher health insurance premium costs, and the addition of six special education technicians, two computer technicians, and a new position as assistant special education director.
One elementary position was eliminated through attrition.
Superintendent Jim Hodgkin said although the overall figure is higher, the tax liability for all towns in the district, except Byron, will decline because of higher state aid to education.
In Rumford, three open seats on the SAD 43 board were filled by incumbent Linda Westleigh who won her first full, three-year term; former board member David McKivergan; and Frank DiConzo. Westleigh had filled out the remaining two years of a term begun by Ed Flynn. McKivergan had served from 2000-2003. DiConzo, a member of the town’s Finance Committee, made a first-time run for elective office.
The new board will meet Monday, June 14.
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