PERU — Four selectmen and other town officials were among the 27 residents at Tuesday night’s hearing on the annual town meeting warrant.

There was little discussion on the 29 articles, but a question was raised on whether the Finance Committee had an opinion on some articles that do not include a dollar amount.

Selectmen Chairman Jim Pulsifer said it will be checked and a correction posted at the polls, if necessary.

The articles will be voted on from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, at the Town Office. Two selectmen will also be elected. Candidates are incumbent Lee Merrill, former Selectman Tim Holland and Wendy Henderson.

Town Clerk Vera Parent said absentee ballots are available until June 5; after that, they will only be issued in special cases.

Parent said if the RSU 10 budget and all municipal articles are approved, the budget will be $2.49 million. It includes $862,797.22 for municipal expenses, $95,559 for Oxford County taxes and $1.54 million for RSU 10.

The proposed RSU 10 budget represents an $18,695.83 increase from this year.

The proposed town budget is $164,059.05 more than this year.

Pulsifer said most of the increase is attributed to the RSU 10 budget, necessary work on East Shore Road and purchase of a medium-duty truck.

RSU 10 budget hearings will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 28 at Buckfield Junior-Senior High School and at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 29, at Dirigo High School in Dixfield.

A school budget meeting and vote are set for 6:30 p.m Tuesday, June 3, at Dirigo High School. A budget validation referendum is set for June 10 in the district towns of Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Peru, Buckfield, Hartford, Sumner, Byron, Mexico, Roxbury, Rumford and Hanover.

At the selectmen meeting before the public hearing Tuesday, Parent said she sent 190 registered letters notifying delinquent taxpayers they have 30 days to pay up. The town could foreclose on properties if all taxes and penalties are not paid, she said.

In other business, it was announced that the state will begin spraying herbicides on state roads Monday, June 2. These include Route 108 and Greenwoods Road. Residents not wanting their property sprayed should contact the Maine Department of Transportation.

Resident Larry Porter told selectmen there is ground contamination and petroleum odors coming from an abandoned automobile repair facility next to his property on Dolloff Street. He said the property had been repossessed by a bank, but signs on the property did not identify the owner.

Newly appointed municipal Health Officer Danny Wing said he would investigate.

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