GREENWOOD — Voters at the annual town meeting Saturday will consider ordinances on retail marijuana establishments and on events to sell food directly to customers without a license.
Residents will also consider a request for $5,000 from the regional Heart & Soul project, an information and story-gathering effort among area towns intended to aid in future community decisions. It is included under the Codes/Planning/Assessing budget, which totals $47,456, and is recommended by selectmen.
However, the funds are not included under the Budget Committee recommendations.
Town Manager Kim Sparks said the Budget Committee looks at items as “need to have” versus “nice to have.”
“The Board of Selectmen felt the Heart and Soul program is a valuable economic development/planning tool for our town and area towns,” she said.
The ordinance to ban retail marijuana establishments and social clubs got mixed reviews at a recent public hearing. Some opponents cited the potential business/tax benefits.
Voters will also consider an article seeking the termination of the agreement for the Oxford County Regional Recycling Corp. Because many member towns now do single-sort recycling, the organization is no longer needed, officials have said.
Among the larger money articles are: $120,000 for the Fire & Rescue Department; $371,600 for the Highway Department; $65,000 for the G & W Transfer Station; $267,330 for Administration and Salaries; and $158,333 for Debt Service.
The total municipal budget, if all money articles are approved, would be $1.20 million, compared to $1.18 million last year.
Sparks said if all the articles are approved and an estimate on school costs is correct, the tax rate would increase from $12.40 to $12.90.
“These will all change once the revaluation is complete and the tax bills go out,” she said.
In municipal elections, Selectman Arnie Jordan is seeking re-election, Sparks said.
SAD 44 director Larry Merlino’s term is up.
The town meeting starts at 9 a.m. May 20 at the Jackson-Silver American Legion Post on Gore Road.
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