EUSTIS – For the second year in a row, a clash over the town’s contribution to the local snowmobile club brought Saturday morning’s town meeting in the Community Building to a halt.

However, about 50 people approved each of the warrant’s 29 articles despite little discussion until 25 minutes into the meeting. That’s when they reached Article 24, which asked voters to raise $7,500 through taxation for the Arnold Trail Snowmobile Club.

Resident Greg Pease requested an amendment to reduce the amount to zero. He also asked for a written ballot on the issue.

Resident Ray Craemer rebuked Pease, as did Mary Morris, who owns and operates Pines Market Sunoco, a convenience store and gas station on Route 27.

“I want to know why you want to take money away from the snowmobile club,” Craemer asked.

“I don’t believe that taxpayer dollars need to go for this function,” Pease replied. “It’s a matter of principle, and it bothers me.”

Morris said the town’s annual contributions have helped the club groom its nearly 130 miles of trails, which, in turn, attract snowmobile enthusiasts, provide jobs and grow the town’s economy.

“If they don’t have the money for grooming, we won’t have trails this year,” Morris said. “Without snowmobile trails, we would not have riders coming here … It’s exceedingly important to have good trails.”

Resident Pat Records, who backed Pease, said she thought the club has plenty of money thanks to fundraisers and grants. Like Pease, she said she was concerned about increasing taxes.

“Holy smokes, guys,” said Susan Fotter, owner of Fotter’s Market. “It’s only $7,500. We at Fotter’s get a lot of business from snowmobilers. Like Mary said, it allows us to employ 10 people over five. Snowmobiling up here is very big … It also enables Fotter’s Market and Pines Market to do things … for this community.”

“That $7,500 is less than what the town gets out of snowmobilers. It’s the business that can help you when you need it. Seventy-five hundred dollars is a drop in the bucket … I can’t believe this is going on,” Fotter added.

“We’ve been through this before … The $7,500 isn’t going to make or break us,” Selectman Earl “Jay” Wyman Jr. said of last year’s narrowly defeated attempt to remove the annual $7,500 contribution.

Reading from a handout of the club’s 2008 budget, club President Robert “Cappy” Campbell said members have an estimated annual expense of $98,417. Of that, grooming accounts for $93,155.

This year, the total projected income of $75,726 includes $7,150 from memberships, $10,751 from fundraising efforts, a $50,326 Maine municipal grant, and the town’s $7,500 contribution. To cover the resulting $22,692 shortfall, the balance is being paid from the club’s savings account, Campbell said.

After more discussion, Pease’s amendment for a written ballot failed by a vote of 21-14. Then, a voting majority dismissed his attempt to cut all municipal money for the club. Instead, the requested $7,500 was granted.

Regarding the warrant’s money articles, voters agreed to raise about $611,946 through taxation. According to town assessor Sandra Scribner, that’s about $4,500 more than last year.

The budget doesn’t include the town’s share of the SAD 58 and Franklin County assessments, which are done later in the year.

Wyman, who was re-elected along with incumbent planner Scott Spatcher, said turnout was good despite Saturday’s snowfall.

“All in all, the meeting went very well … Nobody got killed and there was no blood on the floor. That’s a plus, right?” Wyman asked.