CARTHAGE – Residents will elect a new selectman and moderator and act on 42 articles when they gather at the former Webb River Grange for the first time since the town bought the hall.
The annual meeting begins at 7 p.m. Monday, March 6.
Residents voted at a special town meeting last summer to buy the hall in the Berry Mills section of town. The grange had voted itself out of business more than a year ago.
A new name is expected to be chosen at Monday’s meeting, said First Selectman Steve Brown. He said one of the stipulations when the town bought the hall from the Maine State Grange, at a cost of $20,000, was not to use the grange name. He said some suggestions have already been made, including Webb River Hall, or Berry Mills Hall in honor of the section of town in which it is located.
Residents will also be asked to take $4,000 from surplus for painting the exterior of the hall and repair some of the windows. Brown said a former grange member has offered to make up the difference between the town’s share and the actual cost of painting and repairs.
Among the positions up for election is the seat currently held by Selectman Brenda Flagg. She has chosen not to run for a second three-year term. Also, longtime moderator Minot Flagg has retired.
Other positions, for which the incumbents are seeking additional terms are: Linda Berry, town clerk and tax collector, one year; Dorothy Mason, treasurer, one year; and Linda Berry, SAD 21 representative, three years.
If all articles are passed as presented, Brown said residents will raise $145,633, down 8 percent from the 2005 figure of $158,714.
Among those articles experiencing some change is $2,000 more for the Carthage Fire Department. Brown said selectmen have budgeted the additional money to compensate volunteer firefighters for training. Also, he said no separate article requesting money for Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice will be in the town warrant. He said funds paid to the organization will be paid by the county tax.
The stipends paid to the town clerk, tax collector and treasurer will each be raised by $250, if approved by voters.
Brown said the proposed municipal budget declined largely because the cost of buying the grange hall was entirely funded under last year’s budget.
The supper traditionally served prior to the town meeting will not be held this year. However, Brown said it may return next year. The town recently bought new kitchen equipment that is being installed in the hall.
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