LEEDS – A lower mill rate and a new road grader are on the wish list for Leeds selectmen this year as they prepare for this weekend’s annual town meeting.
“We’re hoping the mill rate is a little cheaper this year,” said Selectman Ted Barker. The rate is currently $21.80 per $1,000.
“Although we would like to see a lower rate, I don’t think that is going to happen,” said town Administrative Assistant Jane Wheeler. “If everything passes as proposed, I believe we are looking at an approximate 9 percent increase.”
Part of that increase is due to a new grader, for which the town is asking voters to appropriate $23,000 from the Capital Investment Fund, to cover the down payment. Voters will also be asked if they want to raise no more than $30,000 for the first year’s payment of a five-year lease, with the possible purchase to be decided on by town officials afterwards.
“It really all depends on what the governor decides on,” Wheeler said. “We were supposed to get a lot of state reimbursement this year but that doesn’t seem likely.”
Running again as a write-in for the open selectman’s position is Gerald B. Burgess Sr. Barus Jangraw is running for a director position on the SAD 52 school board.
Voters may cast their ballots for these positions beginning at 1 p.m. Friday, June 3, at the Leeds Central School. The rest of the 34 articles will be voted upon beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, also at the Leeds Central School.
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