RUMFORD – Residents have two days of voting ahead of them, beginning Monday night at the annual town meeting, then on Tuesday, June 13, at the state primary referendum.
Voters will act on a $7.3 million proposed municipal budget, up about 6.5 percent from last year’s adopted figure.
But because of about $1 million more in state aid to education, the total school and municipal budget would be $10.9 million, down from $11.5 million, with the result of a slight decrease in the $19.15 per $1,000 valuation property tax rate.
Among money articles facing town meeting voters are $2.5 million for public safety that includes police and fire, civil defense and code enforcement, and $1.1 million for public works. The figures are about 3.5 percent over this year’s spending.
Residents will also be asked to approve going to the Maine Bond Bank to borrow up to $2.9 million over 10 to 15 years for renovations, construction and other changes to bring the Municipal Building and fire station up to codes and provide additional space. Another article asks for permission to build a $1.2 million spec building in the new business park that would be purchased by a local utility.
Also on the town meeting warrant are requests to apply for and accept two federal grants totaling $550,000 to assist in the downtown revitalization project, and approvals for about $330,000 in requests for initiated articles for such things as recreation, Black Mountain, the Greater Rumford Community Center, the River Valley Growth Council and St. Athanasius and St. John School transportation. Voters will also be asked whether the town should accept or purchase land on Canal Street owned by Central Maine Power.
At the June 13 referendum, nearly a dozen questions will face voters, including one that asks whether residents want to change the format of the annual town meeting. In the advisory question, people can choose from: maintaining the current format, maintaining the format but requiring secret ballots on budgetary matters, voting for all budgetary matters by referendum, or, changing to a town council form of government.
They will also be asked whether the town should establish a charter commission, adopt a new street naming ordinance, and act on ordinances governing sexually oriented businesses and wellhead protection for the Scotty Brook and Ellis River aquifers.
Several changes have also been made to the domestic animal ordinance governing what constitutes a kennel.
The town meeting takes place at 7 p.m. June 5 in Muskie Auditorium of Mountain Valley High School.
Primary election hours are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 13 at the American Legion Hall.
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