READFIELD — Voters in Readfield approved all the articles annual Town Meeting warrant at the polls on Tuesday.
They also opted to continue using a secret ballot process 490-161 for next year as well.
The warrant articles added up to a municipal budget of just over $2.5 million, about $40,000 higher than the current year.
The property tax rate is expected to rise from the current $19.29 per $1,000 of assessed property value to $19.51 for each $1,000 to support both the municipal budget and the cost to Readfield of supporting the budget of Regional School Unit 38, the Maranacook Schools. Readfield’s share requires a contribution of $3.56 million, an increase of 1 percent over the current year. Readfield has 412 students in the four-town system.
Residents also affirmed the $17.9 million RSU 38 school budget, 503-192, for the upcoming school year.
Among the largest items on the ballot was a request to borrow $177,000 to help fund repairs to the Maranacook Lake Outlet Dam. It was approved 534-129. The bond would be paid back over a 10-year period. Town Manager Eric Dyer said the town already has set aside $123,000 toward the $300,000 cost. Winthrop, which shares in the dam, is providing an equal amount of money.
Another ballot item, which was approved 534-129, will help lessen the effect of the property tax levy on some residents. It calls for the town to set aside $50,000 to assist older and needy residents.
A related “Property Tax Assistance Program Ordinance” was adopted 509-147.
Select Board Chairman Bruce Bourgoine said, “This shows our community is very interested in helping each other.”
All the candidates listed on the ballot were elected.
Bourgoine and Christine Sammons easily won re-election to three year terms. Neither had opposition.
Shawn Roderick won re-election to the RSU 38 board of directors. Patricia L. Gordon won the other three-year seat available after Thomas Sneed opted against running again.
Betty Adams — 621-5631
Twitter: @betadams
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