NORWAY — Residents approved 35 warrant articles, including a $5.1 million municipal budget, during the annual Town Meeting Monday.

The budget represents at 3% increase due to rising energy costs, health insurance and higher wages. The increase is also caused by the retirement of Police Chief Robert Federico, Fire Chief Dennis Yates and Town Manager Dennis Lajoie.

The budget includes $542,000 for capital projects and reserves, such as highway equipment, sidewalk/traffic safety, and repairing the Opera House clock tower.

Voters approved spending $300,000, the same amount as last year, for designated road repairs.

Residents gathered at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School for the annual meeting and a special meeting to discuss the town’s partnership with the Maine Department of Transportation.

During the annual meeting, voters agreed to raise and appropriate $1.06 million for Highways and Public Works. The increase from last year’s $1.04 million is due to the increase in wages, health insurance, and fuel.

The utilities account was lower compared to the previous year’s budget due to the installation of LED lights in the town’s parking lots.

The tax impact is not yet available, according Lajoie.

Voters met immediately after the annual meeting to consider spending $70,000 from the town’s undesignated and unrestricted fund balance to partner with the Maine DOT. The money is to “cover the match requirement of conducting a feasibility study to identify ways to improve accessibility and safety for all transportation modes while complimenting economic development.”

The study includes renovations and replacements of the town’s sidewalks, reconstruction of Main Street, possible replacement of water and sewer lines, and the removal/relocation of power lines.

The town voted to approve this partnership with the Maine DOT.

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