TURNER — Zoning changes, residential loans, spending proposals and elections will be in front of voters this weekend at the annual town meeting.

It starts at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Leavitt Area High School cafeteria. Election of officers will be held 1 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Municipal Office Building.

The secret ballot voting Friday is for a moderator, two selectmen, two RSU 52 directors and three members of the Budget Committee.

There will also be a question on whether to have selectmen appoint a road commissioner other than the town manager. The change is required so selectmen can appoint a Public Works director as road commissioner, head of the Public Works Department and manager of the waste transfer station.

The town manager now performs these duties.

Last year’s budget for municipal expenses was $2,249,136. This year’s request is $2,619,943. Selectmen recommend $2,366,059; the Budget Committee recommends $7,450 less.

The school budget is $4,693,764.

Several ordinances are up for consideration. One will regulate the addition of “in-law apartments” to homes in areas zoned for residential use. Another changes zoning of portions of lots near Beal’s Pond to permit owners greater use of their land.

The Property Assessed Clean Energy ordinance permits owners to access financing for energy-saving improvements to their property through low interest PACE loans. Selectmen were assured by the state that this ordinance does not expose the town to any liability.

There are three candidates for two selectmen’s positions.

Dennis Richardson is running for his third term. He is safety manager for W.D. Matthews Machinery Co. and an EMT with Turner Rescue Department. He said his goal is to keep taxes low without compromising services. He is particularly concerned with attempts by Lewiston and Auburn to have small towns pay excessively for services used primarily by the large cities.

Kurt Youland has served five years as a selectman. He started a small excavation business when he was 20 and developed it into a large construction company over the next 26 years. He owns several businesses in the area.

Youland said his road knowledge and business experience help the town get more for its money. He said his knowledge and experience will help get the new position of Public Works director off to a good start and will benefit the new town manager who will replace the retiring Eva Leavitt.

Dick Keene served one term as selectman. He routinely attends the selectmen’s meetings and frequently shares his knowledge and experience. He worked for the city of Auburn for 42 years, 32 with the Police Department and 10 as traffic supervisor for the Public Works Department.

He said as Turner continues to grow, his experience with roads and traffic will be of great value to the town.

Copy the Story Link