WATERFORD — Voters at the annual town meeting Saturday approved a $1.8 million budget, including $239,446 for highways and bridges and $117,857 for care of winter roads.

The meeting moved along quickly, with voters pausing only to comment on a few issues, such as trucks speeding through the “Flats” section of town and the distribution of winter sand to residents.

The meeting drew about 50 voters who discussed and voted on the 70-article warrant.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Randy Lessard opened the meeting by praising the work of longtime Selectman Wyatt Andrews, who left the board after his defeat to Todd Sawyer in the March 1 annual town election.

Lessaid also announced that Brad Grover, the town’s veteran road commissioner, is “scaling back” in the expectation a new road commissioner can be hired.

Under the direction of moderator Sawin Millett, residents discussed and approved a $1.82 million municipal budget, a slight decrease from the $1.86 million approved in 2018.

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At $4.07 million, the total budget request for 2019, including municipal, school and county, is down slightly from 2018. Property taxes are expected to remain at $15.40 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Voters also approved $483,440 to continue tarring or resurfacing town roads. The amount includes a $220,206 rollover from last year, $203,914 from the 2018 excise tax account and $59,320 from the 2018 local roads assistance program account.

Voters also approved $45,000 for fire protection and $10,600 for the fire chief’s and assistant fire chief’s salaries, plus $26,024 for the town’s share of the Stoneham Rescue Service. Officials said safety costs, such as fire and rescue, have remained flat.

Costs to run the Town Office, however, have increased significantly over the past few years, including health insurance for municipal employees. Voters on Saturday approved $91,674 to cover the town’s share of the premiums.

During discussion, residents said they were concerned about winter sand, which is provided to members of the community. Some voters said they worry because the elderly and disabled are asked to retrieve the heavy sand at the Municipal Garage. It was suggested they carry the sand in several buckets to lighten the load.

The sand was moved this year to the front of the Municipal Office to improve access and safety, Lessard said.

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Voters also said they were concerned about motorists who speed through the Flats on Route 35. In response, voters approved a request for $7,500 to increase speed enforcement in the area.

Last year, voters approved funding to set up a moving radar unit, but some residents Saturday said the speeding problem continues, especially by trucks.

Selectman John Bell asked that residents speak with him about ideas for addressing the ongoing problem with speeding. Bell said the $7,500 could be used for radar enforcement by a deputy sheriff, as is done in Harrison, or to add another radar unit. A decision, however, has yet to be made.

ldixon@sunmediagroup.net


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