FARMINGTON — Andrew Buckland and Stephan Bunker were elected to the Board of Selectmen on Monday for three-year terms.

Buckland received 253 votes; Bunker 242; and incumbent Dennis Pike 159.

RSU 9 directors elected for three-year terms were incumbent Claire Andrews with 324 votes, and write-in candidate Tami Labul with 42 votes. Kenneth Charles was elected to a two-year term with 378 votes.

During the annual town meeting, voters moved quickly through the 37 warrant articles, appropriating a budget of $5,020,812 in 90 minutes.

With few questions, voters approved a budget of $1,193,565 for the Police Department, $380,055 for the Fire Department and $1,053,087 for the Public Works Department.

When asked about the increase from $317,342 last year to $380,055 this year, fire Chief Terry Bell said the request for more per diem workers will save the town from hiring full-time people for the department, he said.

Although Skowhegan has a population of 8,000 and a mill, that department with full-time firefighters handles about the same number of calls as Farmington‘s volunteer force. Their budget is in the $700,000 range, he said.

“The town gets a good product for what they pay for,” Bell said. “Not too far down the road, we’ll have to hire full-time people. With the per diem workers, we’ll try to prolong it as long as we can.”

Voters agreed with the Budget Committee on funding for the Farmington Public Library.

After a presentation from the librarian about the work of the library and history of the town’s support, the Budget Committee recommended appropriating $143,771, adding $5,000 on to the request for $138,771 to help with capital needs for building maintenance and security, board member Richard Morton said.

With all but two town departments requesting less than last year, some selectmen felt the library, which is not a town entity, should also reduce its request and recommended last year’s amount of $135,938.

When asked why the Budget Committee chose to increase the amount by $5,000, member Betty Jespersen said the presentation showed the progress the library has made, more programs available and more use of the library.

“I suggested adding $5,000 to show some support for their efforts for a capital campaign,” she said.

The committee voted 5-4 for the higher amount, she added.

When selectmen were asked why they recommended last year’s amount, Chairman Ryan Morgan said the town departments had been asked to keep their budgets lean this year. All but two departments reduced their budgets, he said.

Even with the extra amount, it still doesn’t equal the amount needed for the library staff to receive a 1.56 percent increase like town employees are receiving, Morton said.

Voters also approved the town’s application for a Community Development Block Grant for $500,000 for 82 High Street housing complex. The funds will help replace water and sewer lines before the second phase of renovation begins.

abryant@sunjournal.com