WEST PARIS — Residents will be asked Saturday to approve a $1.36 million municipal budget and allow all-terrain vehicles on all town roads in the summer and fall.
The annual Town Meeting begin at 10 a.m. at the Ring Mckeen American Legion Post 151 at 6 Church St.
Voters will elect a selectman and overseer of the poor, a director for the School Administrative District 17 board, and a trustee for the Water District. The positions are for three years. Selectman John Eli White is expected to run for reelection.
Twenty-four of the 44 articles are for the municipal budget, ranging from $414,352 for the Highway Department, which includes summer operations, winter operations and garage operations/equipment maintenance, to $600 for emergency management.
The proposed municipal budget of just under $1.36 million is about 2% more than last year. Town Manager Joy Downing said the rise is due to cost-of-living increases and the higher prices for electricity and fuel.
To reduce the tax commitment, selectmen and Budget Committee are recommending voters appropriate $720,500 from the following: $200,000 from state revenue-sharing, $68,000 from homestead reimbursement, $310,000 from motor vehicle excise taxes, $42,500 from other revenue and $100,000 from the undesignated fund balance.
Voters will consider a proposal by the Trap Corner Ridge Riders to allow ATVs to be driven on town roads when the ATV trails are open from June 1 to Nov. 1.
Town residents will also vote on an article that will make the annual town report available by request at the Town Office and not be mailed to residents. Downing said mail delivery has been erratic ever since the post office closed on Memorial Day last year.
This year’s Town Report is dedicated to Charles “Ted” Jones Jr., who died Oct. 8 at age 83. Jones was heavily involved in several town events and organizations and also drove a bus for SAD 17.
This will be Downing’s first town meeting since becoming manager in April 2021 after Wade Rainey retired. He served the town for more than 30 years.
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