CHESTERVILLE – In what moderator Jim Grippe called, “a plain old vanilla town meeting,” more than 50 residents of Chesterville gathered Monday night and approved a budget that was $15,343 higher than last year.
The meeting lasted less than two hours and featured little discussion and debate over the 51 different articles in the town warrant. According to Grippe, there will be an increase in spending over last year of $15,343. The total amount appropriated for the coming year was $339,724.
“This is your plain old, run-of-the-mill town meeting,” said Grippe.
Town residents voted on various items that dealt with maintenance for facilities, roads and community programs. Articles that brought up significant questions included a proposed $3,000 increase for code enforcement, and a $9,000 increase for tipping fees and transportation of waste to Norridgewock. Total appropriations for the coming year included $13,000 for code enforcement, and $75,000 for tipping fees and transportation.
Code Enforcement Officer Brenda Medcoff claimed that the reason for the increase was the growing construction in the community.
“Construction costs reached well over $2 million last year,” said Medcoff.
According to Selectman David Archer, those construction costs also affected the removal of waste, which explained the increase in tipping fees and transportation.
John Gee was chosen by voters to replace John Worth as selectman in the only election at the meeting.
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