DIXFIELD – Selectmen unanimously chose Montell “Bummy” Kennedy for the town’s Distinguished Citizen 2009 Award at Monday’s board meeting.

Kennedy, who is a bus driver/custodian for SAD 21, is also a past selectman, and a current member of the Finance Committee, River Valley Growth Council, Dixfield Fire Co. and Peru Fire Department.

Kennedy will be honored at the annual town meeting May 28 with flowers, a plaque and cash.

The 2008 award went to former businessman Jon Holmes.

In other town meeting-related business, selectmen accepted a petition that requires the placement of an article on the warrant asking whether residents want to adjourn the meeting if it goes beyond 9 p.m. That meeting would then be reconvened on the following Saturday, or at some other evening.

Last year’s annual town meeting lasted a record eight hours.

Selectmen also agreed to hold the election for selectmen from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 28 at the town office.

They also agreed to meet at 5 p.m. Monday, May 18, to sign the town meeting warrant. Skibitsky said several details must be addressed on the document before it is ready for public action.

He said recent notification from the governor’s office showed that revenue sharing, tree growth and homestead exemption reimbursements to the town have been reduced. That will affect the revenue side of the town meeting warrant.

Selectmen approved a proposed municipal budget of $1,892,351 last week, which is about $18,000 more than the one approved by the Finance Committee, but $10,000 less than the current year’s operating budget.

Other matters on Monday:

• Calvin Beaumier, Gorham, was appointed as the town’s part-time code enforcement officer. He replaces Sigrid Houlette who left April 23. The town budgets $2,700 for the position.

• Selectmen approved a grant application to the Bureau of Parks and Lands by the River Valley ATV Club. That would mean that 70 percent of the ATV registration money paid to the state from Dixfield residents would come back to the town to be used by the club to maintain trails and build bridges.

• The board met in a closed session to continue negotiations with the union that represents the five-person Public Works Department. A settlement isn’t likely for several weeks.