CARTHAGE – Dorothy “Dot” Mason has decided she will not seek re-election as town treasurer Monday, a post she’s held since 1956.

“Well, I’m 88 years old, and I’ve done it for 52 years,” she said Friday night when asked the reason for her decision to no longer do the town’s books from her home.

“I’ve been a jack of all trades,” she said. “I have a little beauty shop, and I just barely do a little bit now.”

Asked what she planned to do with her extra time, she responded, “That’s what I’m worried about, what I’m going to do.”

She listed family, church and community activities as some of her endeavors.

“She has been very dedicated,” said First Selectman Steve Brown, adding that the annual report honored her 26 years ago, not knowing that she would serve for another 26 years.

Also up for election are the posts of Selectman Banaman “Bob” Weston, who will run for a second, three-year term, SAD 21 board representative Linda Jamison, who will also run for another three-year term, and town clerk/tax collector Linda Berry, who has indicated she will seek another one-year term.

All nominations are taken from the floor.

If residents approve all 40 articles on the warrant, Brown said the tax rate, now at $18 per $1,000 valuation, should remain about the same, or rise about a half mill. It all depends on the assessment by SAD 21.

Money articles call for raising almost $168,000 from taxation, about $4,000 higher than the current tax year, and about $15,000, down about $4,000 from the current year, from surplus.

New this year is an article from Community Concepts asking for $1,040, which the selectmen have recommended residents approve. Also recommended for approval are $1,500 for the River Valley Growth Council, $250 for the River Valley Chamber of Commerce, $19,000 for Brown, $22,000 for other municipal officers, and $15,000 for the Fire Department.

Brown said selectmen have also recommended appropriating $3,500 for winter roads. Usually, he said, excise taxes pay for plowing and sanding, but with this year’s heavy snowfall, more money is needed.

The assessment by Med-Care Ambulance Service has risen from $6,240 to $8,568, largely because of plans to build a new facility. The board has also recommended that the town sign a 10-year interlocal agreement that would ensure continued ambulance services.