RANGELEY ?  Nearly 90 voters took three hours to debate and decide 47 articles at their annual town meeting Thursday night, ending with $11,000 in cuts to accounts.

Half the dollar figures in the 2010-11 budget passed without suggested amendments and discussions.  The first was a proposal to take a portion of last year’s surplus funds to reduce this year’s tax commitment. The money belongs to voters, and they should have a say in how it’s used, one selectman suggested.

“I’d like to see $119,000 returned to you as a tax reduction,” Selectman Gary Shaffer said. ”That is my recommendation.” 

Town Manager Perry Ellsworth explained that reducing the current overlay would reduce the town’s ability to cover unexpected costs throughout the year. That money also fills the financial gaps when people don’t pay their taxes.

The state requires the town to reserve $1.2 million to run the town for 60 days, according to Treasurer Karen Olivieri.

Selectman Dennis Marquis suggested voters could view the account as a way to maintain a stable tax rate, without going to voters for more money more often. After lengthy discussion, voters supported funding the overlay account as originally requested.

The final budget is approximately 4.28 percent lower than last year. The evening meeting at the Rangeley Lakes Regional School was frequently contentious, with several recounts, heated discussions, and detailed explanations. Selectmen had requested $3,843,419, while the Budget Committee recommended raising $3,519,412.

“If you cut this budget, it’s got to come from somewhere else,” Marquis reminded voters.

Voters agreed to appropriate $754,687 for the General Government category.  The Budget Committee had proposed less and selectmen had requested more.

“I would like to ask the Budget Committee when you decided to change these numbers?” one voter asked.

Selectman Donald Nuttall explained that the articles reflect a higher percentage than the Budget Committee intended.  Ten percent from specific categories, rather than 10 percent across the board, was the committee’s original intent, he said.

Ellsworth suggested voters take a more active role in deciding how their money will be spent. The Franklin County budget appropriation of $600,000 reflects increased costs for voters, although some services have been reduced.

“We don’t really have a county jail any more,” he said. “There’s a proposal to move county offices into a whole new building, and we’ll be paying a portion of that.”

Voters did agree, after discussion about cutting the Rangeley Lakes Cross Country Ski Club from $10,000 to $5,000, that they would fund the original request as a commitment to the area’s tourism industry.

At the Tuesday municipal election, 439 voters came to the polls to elect Nathan Nichols and incumbent Donald Nuttall to three-year terms as selectmen. Deanna Jannace and Carol Sullivan will serve three-year terms on the Park Commission, filling two newly-created seats.

The Rangeley Regional School District budget of $3,418,880 was approved, with 288 voting in favor and 120 voting against. Voters also approved continuing the current budget validation process.