HEBRON — Voters will act on a municipal budget of about $790,000 and elect officers at the annual town meeting Saturday, March 18.
Action on the 55-article warrant begins at 10 a.m. in the Hebron Station School on Station Road.
Topping the warrant will be elections. Selectman Dan Eichorn is up for re-election to a three-year term, along with Moody Library Trustee William Clough.
Voters will choose a Budget Committee member. James Trundy’s three-year term is expiring.
This year, the Board of Selectmen is requesting voters raise and appropriate $789,330 for municipal operations. The Budget Committee is recommending slightly less — about $782,000. The differences are in several areas such as care and maintenance of town equipment.
Last year, voters approved about $807,000 for municipal government.
Board of Selectmen Chairman Richard Deans said the board is recommending about a 3 percent salary increase for employees.
Deans also noted the town has an option to purchase the bucket loader. Voters will be asked to authorize the board to use $42,000 from the state for the timber harvested at the Western Maine Sanatorium to purchase of the bucket loader.
The board is also looking for authorization to enter into a lease-purchase agreement for a new backhoe, if the purchase price, after trade-in of the town backhoe, does not exceed $81,550.
Deans said the backhoe has been in use since the Public Works Department was formed about 10 years ago.
“It’s done a whole lot more than it was intended to do,” he said.
Voters will also be asked to raise and appropriate $100,000 for summer road maintenance and $120,00 for winter road maintenance.
A total of $45,000 is being requested for the Fire Department and $9,570 for hydrant rental.
The Board of Selectmen is recommending voters approve $40,000 for maintenance of town equipment. The Budget Committee is recommending $35,000. Last year, the town raised $40,000 for the account but only spent $25,717.
In other action voter will be asked to approve $150,000 for Town Office expenses, $27,616 for health insurance premiums for employees, $100,000 for the paving account, $10,000 for the town garage and $95,000 for the Transfer Station.
Voters will also be asked to authorize selectmen to enter into a contract for not more than three years to operate the Transfer Station.
Lunch will be served by the Hebron Historical Society for a nominal fee.
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