FARMINGTON — Regional School Unit 9 voters approved a $32.7 million budget Thursday, sending it to a validation referendum in the 10 district towns on Thursday, July 28.

More than 200 residents voted at the districtwide meeting.

It was the second time around for a proposed budget. Voters rejected a $32.97 million budget in June. The board and administrators went back and cut about $224,000 from the proposal.

The budget approved Thursday is $705,202 more than last year’s budget.

Voters approved several articles quickly with no questions before hitting system administration, school administration, debt service and local debt service.

Elaine Graham of Farmington called the board irresponsible for hiring an administrator at a salary of nearly $88,000.

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“We don’t live in an economically strong area,” she said. She planned to vote no on the budget, she said.

She also had several questions on debt service, which Ward and audience members tried to explain to her. Of $5.9 million in debt service, the district has to pay $711,277. The state pays the rest, she was told.

It was mentioned that a task force will be formed to get ideas to present to the state on education funding and simplifying the wording of articles at districtwide budget votes.

A brief loss of power during a thunderstorm temporarily disrupted the online video streaming of the meeting and the sound system. 

dperry@sunmediagroup.net

RSU 9 towns voting hours on budget Thursday, July 28

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Chesterville: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Town Office

Farmington: 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., Community Center

Industry: 2 to 8 p.m., Town Office

New Sharon: 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., Town Office

New Vineyard: 1 to 7 p.m., Smith Hall

Starks: 12 to 8 p.m., Community Center

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Temple: 2 to 7 p.m., Town Hall

Vienna: 1 to 7 p.m., Fire Station

Weld: 4 to 8 p.m., Town Office

Wilton: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Town Office


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