SANDY RIVER PLANTATION – Voters will decide on budget increases for public safety when they gather Friday for the annual meeting. The session begins at 6:30 p.m. June 25 at the Sandy River Plantation office building.

The ambulance budget request is $23,545, which is $13,670 more than this year. The Rangeley Fire Department, which serves the plantation, has requested $17,974, or a $4,819 increase.

A report on the Enhanced 911 project is expected. In addition, voters will decide on the purchase of house numbers for the approximately 326 homes in Sandy River Plantation.

The proposed school budget is $128,542 for 2004-05.

The Budget Committee has recommended salary increases for the following town officers: First assessor, $24,200, up $2,200; second assessor, $500, up $150; third assessor, $500, up $150; and treasurer/tax collector, $11,302, up $1,092.

The committee has recommended $14,500, an increase of $1,000, for town hall operations. The extra money is to cover rising fuel costs, a new furnace, a printer and a new dedicated phone line for faxes and the Internet.

Voters will decide on transferring $27,852 to the summer roads account. The Budget Committee recommended transferring $5,352 from the Department of Transportation account, $22,021 from the vehicle registration account and $479 from the boat excise account. The summer roads account for fiscal year 2004 has $76,837.

The funds from the summer road account will cover the plantation’s share of the reconstruction of Access Road, which goes through Dallas Plantation and Sandy River Plantation before it comes to a dead end at Saddleback Mountain. Saddleback Mountain is pursuing a grant to cover some of the construction costs. Under the grant proposal, Sandy River Plantation’s share would be $55,000.

The plantation has received requests from the following nonprofit organizations: Western Mountain Shrine, $250; Rangeley Health Center, $1,500; Rangeley Chamber of Commerce, $1,000; Rangeley Snowmobile Club, $2,000; Rangeley Library, $5,900;

Also, American Red Cross, $93; Androscoggin Home Health, $85; United Cerebral Palsy, $400; Milfoil Awareness, $1341.60; American Legion Post 120 Memorial Day observance, $150; Rangeley Region Guides’ and Sportsmen’s Association, $150; Cross Country Ski Trails, $1,500; Rangeley Region Logging Museum, $200; and the Rangeley Region Round Table, $4,000.

Copies of the town report and warrant are available at the town office.

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