PHILLIPS – It perhaps is no coincidence that on the day residents gathered for their annual town meeting, Gov. John Baldacci had proclaimed it Laura Toothaker Day in recognition of her 36 years as town manager.

Toothaker’s shoes are now filled by Karen Oliveri, who urged residents Saturday to approve setting aside money to hire a part-time tax collector. After some debate, the article, which appropriates $123,746 for general administration, was passed. Of that amount, $12,000 will be used as salary for the tax collector.

The town office currently has a person helping Oliveri part-time. Now a part-time person will be certified to write and collect checks as a tax collector, allowing Oliveri, who was previously acting as tax collector, treasurer and registrar of voters, to leave the office if necessary.

More than $54,000 was appropriated from the Maine Urban Rural Initiative Program for road improvements, specifically to the Toothaker Pond Road and the Davenport Flats area. Funds from the initiative will save taxpayers money from their own pockets. Oliveri will look into receiving road grants from the state.

Evelyn Wilbur was reinstated as the town clerk for another year. Her husband, John Wilbur, was elected as selectman for a year to replace Niilo Sillanpaa III, who moved away last summer. Steve Childs was elected to a three-year term as selectman.

The town can look forward to a fireworks celebration in 2008 to celebrate Old Home’s Day 50th year. The Old Home’s Day is an annual event, but a fireworks display has not been held in Phillips for a number of years. Voters approved the use of $600 for the celebration this year and another $600 for next year.

Residents also OK’d $5,000, $4,000 more than last year, for The Zone, a type of community center open to children two days a week after school. The Zone is trying to garner more attention, hoping people will use the area for wedding receptions and other events. Extra money is needed for heating and fuel and to expand the ice skating rink.

Residents opposed funding the United Cerebral Palsy and the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce to focus on committees more closely associated with Phillips, such as Phillips’ own Chamber of Commerce. The chamber will soon publish a directory that will list town businesses.