Carrabassett Valley voters approved all 37 warrant articles, including the annual budget, at the town meeting March 18 at the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center.
The total annual municipal budget approved is $3.22 million, which represents an increase of $483,375, or 18%, over last year.
Voters approved the following articles, among others:
- The 2026 Comprehensive Plan, which replaces the 2003 plan.
- Updates the town zoning to allow for a possible expansion of off-mountain housing at the top of Bigelow Hill.
There was a long debate over whether the town should negotiate buying 14 acres of land on the southern end of Spring Farm Road.
The only way to access the property is over a bridge that cannot withstand sustained vehicle traffic, so much of the discussion centered around the eventual cost of building a new bridge, which voters would have to approve.
One resident questioned the decision to negotiate the purchase without having a discussion with the Penobscot Nation, which owns the land that borders the 14 acres, and whose property would have to be crossed for access to the parcel if the single bridge is removed.
The article passed with only one “no” vote, the only one of the evening.
Following up on the March 10 election, John Reynolds was reelected for a three-year term on the Select Board with 123 votes. Anne Tuell won a one-year term on the Select Board with 95 votes. Scott Stoutamyer won a three-year term on the sanitary district with 126 votes. The two positions open on the school board were won by Dierdre Frey with 111 votes and Meredith Swallow with 110.
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