TURNER — Only 95 of 3,600 registered voters turned out to establish the town’s course and budget for the next year. Turnout was 2.6 percent of voters and was less than last year, when about 150 attended the annual town meeting.

Moderator Ike Goodwin kept the meeting moving, and 66 articles were considered in five hours. Most passed with little or no discussion.

Recently elected state Rep. Jeff Timberlake, R-Turner, who was attending his last meeting as a selectman, thanked town officials. Timberlake resigned to devote more energy to his new job. The remaining year of his term will be filled by Kurt Youland.

Town Manager Eva Leavitt spoke in favor of including a 5 percent raise for town employees. She said they have gone nearly four years without a raise. The motion passed.

Selectman Lawrence “Punk” House, who was one of the older persons there, got a laugh when he said, “I am as historical as anyone here.” His recommendation to fund only a portion of the requested amount for the Historic Building Reserve Account carried.

Paula Anderson who had, in accordance with her recently deceased mother’s wishes, led the campaign to build a gazebo for the town, spoke for funds to finance a musical event at the gazebo to complement other Fourth of July events and in celebration of Turner’s 225th anniversary. The article was defeated after Selectman Angelo Terreri reminded voters that when they were asked to support the construction of the gazebo, they were assured they would not be asked for additional funds.

There was strong support for a motion to use the $10,000 remaining in the Bicentennial Fund for the celebration of the anniversary. Selectman House assured voters that there would be a grand parade no matter how they voted. Selectman Denis Richardson pointed out that many of the townspeople were too young to remember the town’s bicentennial and many of them would not be around to celebrate the 250th anniversary. Many events are planned for the celebration that will take place July 3-4.

Leavitt proposed increasing the landfill maintenance budget to provide for two mowings per year. Voters decided that going over the site once a year with a bush hog was sufficient.

Ordinance changes

While many voters had left by the time proposed ordinance changes came to a vote, those articles elicited significant comment.

The Town Public Beach Ordinance was amended to make it clear that it was a public and not just a town beach and to declare the area a tobacco-free zone.

Several changes to the zoning 0rdinance were proposed. The state has superseded all town building codes. Timberlake and others said that the requirements of the state code were likely to change due to many challenges. Two articles were passed removing references to the “Town of Turner Building Code” and replacing it with “the building code administered and enforced by the Town of Turner.”

There was widespread objection to the portion of a proposed amendment that would limit exterior doors on “in-law apartments.” The proposal failed.

Two proposed amendments to the Subdivision Ordinance were defeated. One would have limited so-called “liquidation harvesting.” The other would have required a 15-inch diameter by 24-foot-long culvert in all new or modified driveways, even if one was not needed.

A proposed Public Peddlers’ Ordinance was defeated. Several residents pointed out that it would require a permit for farmers selling their produce at roadsides or their grandkids opening lemonade stands.

The moderator accepted an award for his mother, Bertha Goodwin, as the Turner Volunteer of the Year. Leavitt recounted Goodwin’s many years of service in many capacities as she presented the award.

The Leavitt Area High School Class of 2011 Project Graduation raised more than $300 by furnishing lunch and refreshments. Class adviser Lori Marschall said it was one of several fundraisers. The next major event will be comedian Bob Marley at 6 p.m. Sunday, April 10. Tickets are available for $15 at the school, Murray Mega Mart on Route 4 and Schrep’s Store on Route 117.