BUCKFIELD – Approximately 54 voters from Buckfield, Hartford and Sumner supported the fiscal 2009 budget presented by the SAD 39 board.

The Buckfield High School auditorium was partially filled, and attempts by a few voters to lower the amount to be raised on any of the articles met strong opposition.

An article to raise $926,787 over the amount required by the state’s Essential Programs and Services passed by written ballot, 35-19.

The total budget for 2009 is $7,029,073.06, up $123,060 over this year’s $6,906,013.

The meeting was the first of two steps to approve a spending plan.

The budget needs to be validated at at referendum Tuesday, June 10. The vote will be either yes or no, with no numbers on the ballot.

Totals to be appropriated by municipality are: Buckfield, $667,117.50; Hartford, $604,565; and Sumner, $356,320.

The hearing was the only chance voters had to discuss the 2008-2009 budget unless the referendum fails on June 10. In that case, the entire process will have to be repeated until a budget is approved at both a district budget meeting and a validation referendum.


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