LIVERMORE FALLS — Voters defeated 12 articles Tuesday pertaining to the proposed $2.3 million municipal budget, including administration, code enforcement and public works. All other articles passed except for the RSU 73 budget.

The selectmen’s proposed $2.3 million spending package represents an increase of $108,834 over the current $2.19 million budget. About $98,000 of that was for capital improvements. The Budget Committee recommended a nearly $2.1 million. The difference between the two budgets was about $200,000.

Town Manager Kristal Flagg said Wednesday morning that she was reviewing the results and would be considering options on how to move forward. Selectmen meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 18, at the Town Office and will be discussing the matter then.

Voters did authorize selectmen by a 143-105 vote to make municipal expenditures based on the current year’s budget until a new budget passes.

Voters in a 109-139 vote defeated an article covering insurances, including health for $357,857. It showed a decrease of $1,000 from this year’s budget. The Budget Committee had recommended $261,609. The nearly $100,000 difference is reflected under health insurance for employees. The Budget Committee proposed the town pay only employees’ health insurance.

Residents in a 95-157 vote rejected $168,381 for administration, which includes wages for the town manager, and selectmen, legal fees, dues, animal control, payroll and audit. This budget showed an increase of $6,579 from the current budget. The Budget Committee had recommended $165,166.

They also opposed the code enforcement budget of $14,370 by a vote of 107-144. That account includes $13,770 for the CEO’s wages and $600 for operating expenses. It represented an increase of $510. The Budget Committee recommended the budget remain the same as this year’s at $13,860.

Voters decided 121-130 against the $337,775 public works budget. It showed a $1,000 increase over the current budget. The Budget Committee had recommended $325,725.

Residents rejected $8,650 for general assistance by a 108-130 vote. It reflected an increase of $2,150. The Budget Committee proposed $7,150.

Voters also defeated donations for the Livermore Falls Downtown Betterment Group, Maine Paper and Heritage Museum and Chisholm Trails.

They opposed $15,000 for contingency in a 94-151 vote, $98,600 for capital improvement purchases by a 96-154 vote, and exceeding the state property levy tax limit, 87-160. The Budget Committee had recommended $5,000 for contingency. This year’s spending plan includes $10,000 for contingency.

Townspeople voted against transferring $20,000 from recreation reserve accounts for the extension of the Foundry Road bike and pedestrian path. The money would have been used to match a grant to build a sidewalk on Park Street from the end of Foundry Road.

Voters re-elected Selectman Louise Chabot to another three-year term with 224 votes, and Selectman Kenneth Pelletier to another two-year term with 206 votes, both on the Board of Selectmen.

Voters also elected Carmen Cullen with 198 votes to serve a three-year term on RSU 73 Board of Directors. In a write-in vote for a second director position, Jackie Knight was re-elected with 21 votes.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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