CARTHAGE — Voters re-elected Selectman Banaman R. Weston, Town Clerk/Tax Collector Linda Berry and Treasurer Nancy Blodgett at the annual town meeting Monday, Selectman Steve Brown said.

Weston’s term is for three years; Berry and Blodgett will serve a year.

Twenty-six voters attended the meeting and all 42 warrant articles were approved in about an hour, he said. Carthage has 563 residents.

The $408,343 municipal budget means the property tax rate will remain at $13 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Brown said because the state increased the Homestead Exemption from $15,000 to $20,000, an estimated 200 property owners will save an average of $65.

Voters appropriated $58,000 for the sanitation replacement fund, which will go toward a new truck, Brown said.

Carthage is in the second year of a five-year contract with Municipal Waste Services in Norridgewock. The town is also hauling trash and a larger truck will mean fewer trips to the landfill.

Voters also set aside $356,998 for the expected higher assessment to Regional School Unit 53. Brown said the large increase in the town’s valuation is because of the 12-turbine Saddleback Ridge Wind Project.

“We’re planning ahead; setting money aside for when that (increase) kicks in,” Brown said.

The project, which was completed in September 2015, was estimated to cost $66 million. 

Brown said Carthage also receives $48,000 per year from the Saddleback Ridge Wind Community Benefits Fund, which is used for such programs as the community activity group Generations Club.

Voters on Monday also approved a 10-year extension of the Med-Care ambulance agreement, which begins June 13, 2018. Med-Care serves 11 communities.

Also attending the meeting were state Sen. Tom Saviello, R-Wilton, who Brown said is serving in his final term; and state Rep. Russell Black, R-Wilton, who is planning to run for the state Senate, according to Brown.

Jan Hutchinson served as moderator.

bfarrin@sunmediagroup.net

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