GILEAD — Top on the warrant for Saturday night’s annual town meeting will be a decision by residents on whether to buy Cole’s Custom Auto for use as a highway garage.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall.

Five of the 37 articles are devoted to the possibility of purchasing the six-bay, 8-year-old, 40- by 70-foot, stick-built building owned by fire Chief Ken Cole.

If approved, the town would buy the Railroad Street building for $133,500, payable over a 15-year period at an interest rate of 3.74 percent.

Other related articles call for raising $10,000 for maintenance, $8,000 for a soil test, appraisal and bank fees and associated other costs, and $7,500 to drill a well at the site.

If all are approved, the highway equipment, which currently shares space at the Gilead Fire Department, would move to the new site.

Space has been cramped at the fire station, resulting in some equipment having to be stored outside.

The total municipal budget would be $235,874 if all articles are approved. That is down 12 percent from the current year’s budget of $268,831, which carries a $16.80 per $1,000 valuation tax rate.

The reduction is the result, in large part, of the town soon paying off a road construction loan.

Town Clerk Lin Chapman said the town did not yet know the amount of money that must be paid to SAD 44 for educating its 30 children. Last year, the town paid $198,000 for student education. She said an increase is expected, and that SAD 44 Superintendent David Murphy is expected to attend Saturday’s town meeting to discuss the district’s financial situation and how it affects Gilead.

Chapman said residents will vote on a school budget at a later special town meeting.

Voters will choose a selectman and a school committee member. Incumbent Selectman Jeremy Morin, a contractor, is seeking a second three-year term. He is being challenged by retiree Joseph Boudreau. School Committee member Ann Choquette also is seeking a second three-year term.

eadams@sunjournal.com

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