TURNER — Santa Claus found the town to be the ideal landing spot Monday night as he lit the Christmas tree, gave all of the good boys and girls gifts and listened to their Christmas wish lists.

Parents enjoyed colorful Christmas cookies, hot chocolate and cider with Santa and the kids. The Maine-made cider was donated by Ricker Hills Orchards. Gifts were donated by local businesses.

More than 60 people gathered for the tree lighting and visit from Santa Clause.

Following the festivities, the selectmen held their regular meeting.

State Rep. Jeff Timberlake shared progress being made on the Androscoggin County budget. Timberlake and state Sen. Lois Snowe-Mellow were elected by other members of the county legislative delegation to serve on the County Budget Committee.

Original budget proposals came in with about a 5 percent increase. The committee has worked hard to reduce this to a zero increase. Timberlake said they were looking for where they can make additional cuts without hurting the county.

The sheriff’s budget and wages are the two remaining major areas to be worked on, he said. Timberlake said that depending on the evaluation of towns in the county, he believes tax rates will be close to last year’s.

Timberlake reminded selectmen that any time they had representatives from state departments make presentations, he would like to attend to keep abreast of information they receive and to let the state department know that he is interested in the town’s concerns.

Selectmen set the dates for the annual town meeting. Voting will be from 1 to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 13, at the Town Office. The town meeting will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 14, in the Leavitt High School Gymnasium.

At their last meeting. selectmen had invited Department of Transportation representatives to discuss severe problems on North Paris Road. The selectmen agreed to try to get the road classified as a major collector rather than as a minor collector to improve the road’s place on the state priority list. Selectman Ralph Caldwell pointed out that the town had been trying to do this since 2006.

The “Andro Pay” contract was signed. This plan lets residents pay a smaller fee when using a credit card for town fees than did the previous plan.

Town Manager Eva Leavitt informed selectmen that the beaver trapping season is open and an effort will be made to eliminate troublesome beavers that have been blocking drainage along town roads.

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