ROXBURY – Townspeople will elect two selectmen and decide whether to match a federal grant for the purchase of a new fire engine when they gather Monday night for their annual town meeting.
The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at Mountain Valley Middle School. A social hour beginning at 5:30 p.m. precedes the annual event.
Tops on the agenda is an article asking people to raise $17,200 as a match for a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant of $154,800. If approved, the funds would be used to buy a new firetruck to replace a 1975 pumper.
Selectman Christine Howard said the purchase of a new firetruck could be a yearlong process.
If all money articles are passed in the 59-article warrant, she said the town would raise $192,827, which is about 19 percent more than the past year’s operating budget of $161,703.
She said the remainder of the budget increase is attributed to hikes in insurance coverage, animal control and solid waste disposal.
Residents will also be asked to refund any money received from the state for the registration of ATVs to the Roxbury ATV Club so it can maintain its trail system.
Howard, who has served as a selectman for nine years, is stepping down so that she may run for town clerk/tax collector. Current Town Clerk Delia Knapp has chosen not to seek re-election.
Running for Howard’s seat are Douten “Dan” Thomas, Alan Hodgkins and Matt Patenaude.
Selectman Dennis Daniels has submitted his resignation after serving one year of a three-year term. Nominations for his position will be taken from the floor.
Also up for election is a three-year term on the SAD 43 Board of Directors currently held by Mark Touchette, a MeadWestvaco employee, who plans to run again.
Voters will also be asked to move $30,000 from the general fund so that residents who pay their property taxes early can receive an 8 percent discount.
Howard said the discount is offered as an incentive to maintain cash flow and helps compensate residents for paying their entire tax assessment at one time rather than in two installments.
Those who pay before Sept. 1 will receive the discount. Taxes paid after Oct. 31 will be assessed 6 percent annual interest.
Last year’s tax rate was $15 per $1,000 valuation. This year’s rate will be set once the school budget is approved. That vote generally comes in June.
Go and Do
What: Roxbury annual town meeting
When: 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 7; social hour at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Mountain Valley Middle School
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