DIXFIELD – If residents at Thursday’s annual town meeting pass all money articles, the town’s municipal budget will rise by about 12 percent.
The event begins at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 2, at Dirigo Middle School.
The proposed 2005-06 municipal budget, at $1,865,893, is up just over $200,000 from last year.
Town Manager Nanci Allard said most of the increase, about $150,000, is the result of plans to rebuild Coolidge, Common and Holt Hill roads. She said little or no road work has been completed on town roads for several years.
Most of the remaining $50,000 increase is the result of higher health and liability insurance premiums and fuel costs, and 3 percent salary increases for nonunion employees.
The proposed fire department budget declined about $7,000 from last year. In 2004, the department received funds to purchase a generator.
In addition to the money articles, residents will be asked to decide several other issues, including acceptance of the Holman Homestead.
Peter Holman, Robert Holman and Geraldine Viitala, descendants of one of the town’s first settlers, have offered the circa 1803 home on the Common Road to the town. The article also asks permission to use $7,000 from the Ione Harlow Dixfield Community Fund to make necessary repairs. Allard said the roof needs to be replaced.
Residents will also be asked to officially establish a permanent seven-member Water Advisory Committee comprising water rate payers. The current committee is made up of seven people who were appointed by selectmen. With the official establishment of the committee, members will be elected to staggered three-year terms. The committee’s current members are Sonya Fuller, Brenda Turbide, Anne Young, Dick Pierce, Bill De Vries, Montell Kennedy and Ralph Clarke.
Also up for a vote is a request to exceed the amount of money that can be raised under a state law recently passed known as L.D. 1. Allard said under the state mandate, $1,690,758 may be raised. The proposed budget is for $1,865,893.
Several Finance Committee, Ione Harlow Scholarship Committee, and Ludden Memorial Library Trustee positions will also be elected at the town meeting.
Several selectmen and SAD 21 board members will be elected June 14.
The town’s current tax rate is $26 per $1,000 valuation. If all money articles are passed, that rate could rise to about $27.50 per $1,000, said Allard.
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