Chesterville voters will gather March 17 for the annual town meeting, where they will discuss key warrant articles, including a proposed property revaluation, a shift in the town meeting date, and budget adjustments across multiple departments. Submitted Photo

CHESTERVILLE — Residents of Chesterville will vote March 14 for municipal officers and key town matters, followed by the annual town meeting March 17, where warrant articles will be debated and decided.

This year’s annual report is dedicated to Robert “Bob” Leso, a longtime member of the Chesterville Planning Board and an advocate for forestry preservation. Leso, 82, was tragically killed Nov. 4, 2024, when he was struck by a tractor-trailer on Main Street in Farmington. A dedicated contributor to the Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District, Leso was also active in community sports programs and local planning efforts.

Election and ballot candidates
Voters will fill three Select Board seats and one Regional School Unit 9 seat.

For the three-year Select Board terms, John Archer and Jason Ward are on the ballot. Guy Iverson is running for the one-year Select Board seat. For the RSU 9 board of directors, Patty Hastings and Tiffany Estabrook are running for a three-year term.

Budget and key warrant articles
Chesterville’s proposed 2025 budget includes notable shifts in spending compared to last year. Some areas have increased, while others, such as capital roads and public works, have been adjusted to balance costs. Overall, the proposed budget represents a decrease of $397,284.38 from last year.

A town-wide property revaluation is among this year’s major proposals, requesting $150,000 over three years [$50,000 per year] to update property assessments. The Select Board has endorsed the plan, stating that updated assessments are necessary to ensure tax fairness.

Another significant change is a proposal to move the annual town meeting from Monday to Saturday, with voting on the preceding Friday, to encourage more resident participation.

Changes in budget allocations
The capital roads budget for 2025 is set at $386,175, slightly lower than last year’s $400,706 allocation, though Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursements may help fund additional road projects. Public works and road maintenance remain a priority, with $507,166 proposed for general operations, including a $18,822.77 carry forward from last year.

The fire department budget is set at $65,045 and an additional $24,112 is allocated to the Fire Department Capital Reserve Fund, rolling over funds from last year’s planned Jaws of Life extrication tool purchase, which was not fully spent.

The Transfer Station budget increased to $190,548, up $31,096 from last year’s actual expenditures of $159,451.14. The increase reflects the town’s transition to Casella Waste for trash pickup, effective Jan. 1, 2025.

The cost of ambulance services has risen from $15,700 in 2024 to $20,192 in 2025, marking a nearly 30% increase.

For street lighting, the proposed allocation remains $5,000, the same as last year, although actual 2024 expenditures were $3,745.24.

Third-party funding requests
This year’s warrant includes continued funding for local organizations, including $500 each for 30 Mile Watershed, Clearwater Food Pantry, North Chesterville Homemakers Association, and the Chesterville Heritage Society.

Final budget considerations
Voters will also decide on funding allocations for cemetery maintenance, animal control services and town operations. The property tax due date is set for Dec. 12, 2025, with a 7.5% annual interest rate on overdue taxes starting the following day.

The Select Board urges residents to participate in both the March 14 election and March 17 town meeting to help shape Chesterville’s financial planning and policies for the coming year.

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