LIVERMORE FALLS — Voters decided Tuesday night to have Androscoggin County provide emergency dispatching services. The secret ballot tally was 101-93, resulting in the town dispatch service shutting down within 90 days.

Also at the special town meeting at the high school, a motion to use the Jay Transfer Station failed. The vote was 68-116.

A third motion to use $144,708 from the general fund to help lessen the tax rate this year was accepted by the nearly 200 residents.

Following the secret ballot vote on the dispatch service, townspeople voiced concerns that some thought they were voting to keep the town’s dispatch. There was also a concern that some voters were incorrectly told by ballot clerks that they were voting on the transfer question.

The question was not listed on the ballot and some citizens did not know how to vote, Katie LaFreniere told moderator Clint Boothby.

Many seniors thought their “yes” votes meant they would keep the town’s dispatch service, Lisa LaFreniere said.

After considering the concern, the moderator called the vote clear and concise. He determined that the vote would stand and a re-vote would not be taken, Town Manager Jim Chaousis said. The warrant is posted before the meeting so residents can study the questions, Chaousis said.

After an explanation of the articles was presented by the town manager, a public hearing was held at which residents voiced concerns about potential tax increases but many still wanted to keep their town services.

Livermore Falls taxpayers face a tax rate increase of $4 per $1,000 of property valuation if spending is not reduced.

With an anticipated loss of revenue from areas such as state funding, Wausau taxes and excise taxes, and with the town facing a school consolidation penalty, intervention is needed to keep the town from seeing a severe tax increase, Chaousis told voters.

abryant@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link