LEEDS – “I would like to amend the amendment” resounded during Leeds’ annual town meeting Saturday much like a worn record player as voters attempted to find common grounds to win a majority vote on numerous articles that selectmen estimated would raise spending approximately $55,000 and possible half a mill.
The amendment refrain especially echoed during discussion of an article asking taxpayers to raise or appropriate $5,000 to provide support for the Leeds Townhouse History Center and Public Library.
The wording of this article, which warranted power for the Historical Society and the Library boards, was drafted in a way that required any monetary amount raised at the end of each fiscal year to be carried over and used for the same purpose every year thereafter. That purpose, historical members suggested, was for grant applications.
After several unsuccessful attempts at rewording and re-amending the article, it was finally left unattended to, resulting in no action at all.
In a repeat of last year’s meeting, voters attempted to skim some spending off by reducing the money spent on cemetery improvements. But, again like last year, voters amended amendments only to result in leaving the article as drafted, allotting $14,250 for maintenance and stone cleaning and repair. There are approximately 70 cemeteries in Leeds, some of which have but a single stone. One resident yelled out that if the town wants to save money, “This is not a place to do it.”
Adding to the road commissioner’s fleet, the town will soon be seeing a new grader replacing two of the town’s trucks. The vote appropriated $23,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund for the initial down payment and raised an amount of no more than $30,000 for the first payment of a five-year lease-to-own agreement. The town estimated the cost to fix the current grader, had the article not passed, to be as much as $20,000 to replace the transmission and make other repairs.
A few amendments later, the town agreed to pass article 25, which awarded sums to six charities. Turner Rescue received $8,000 and Rural Community Actions Monasteries $5,000, with $18,976 allocated in total.
Getting to feeling a little more like part of the community, Joanne Zayszly and other residents on Rolling Knoll Drive received the town’s seal of approval when their street was added as an official town road.
The road, which bares 4 inches of hot-top, is way above town standards, selectmen said, in urging voters to accept it. “This is a great example to other people on how if a road is done right, the town of Leeds will accept it,” Selectman Gerald B. Burgess Sr. said.
“We believe for what we pay in taxes we deserve our roads plowed,” Zayszly said. “We are all for taking care of the rest of the community, and if we are part of it, we don’t want to be treated any differently. We’re thankful.”
Re-elected this year as fire chief were Glenn Holt and as selectman was Gerald B. Burgess, Sr. Newly elected was Susan Barus Jangraw as a director on the MSAD 52 School Board.
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