JEFFERSON — Residents at Tuesday’s annual Town Meeting, which is being held by secret ballot, will decide whether to approve budget items that total just under $1 million, including a major increase in projected costs for ambulance services.

The proposed town budget of $969,000, according to the town report, is $46,000 higher than the $923,000 budget that was approved by voters last year.

Polls are scheduled to be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Jefferson Fire Station.

A significant increase in proposed spending is for ambulance costs. Last year, voters initially appropriated only $10,500 to help offset the cost of ambulance service in town, but in January the town had to call a special meeting and appropriate an additional $55,000 to pay for Waldoboro Emergency Services, which serves the northern areas of Jefferson.

Now, residents are asked on Jefferson’s annual Town Meeting warrant to approve $116,000 for ambulance services.

Lincoln County Ambulance provides ambulance services to the southern sections of Jefferson, according to Walter Morris, Jefferson’s fire chief.

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Selectmen could not be reached for comment to explain the proposals going to voters.

Other increases in the proposed budget include a $30,000 increase in snow plowing contracts.

Three separate articles seek funding for work on Linscott Road: one seeks to use $47,000 in block grant funding from the state, another wants to appropriate $9,500 for work on the road, and a third seeks $3,000 for work on the same road.

Residents will also be asked to approve a medical marijuana ordinance which, according to the warrant article, would repeal all previous marijuana ordinances. In 2017, the town adopted a retail marijuana ordinance, which banned retail stores from selling recreational marijuana, but the ordinance did not apply to medical marijuana.

Residents will also elect a slate of municipal officials, though all local offices are uncontested.

Claudia Orff-Reed is the only candidate seeking a spot being vacated by Greg Johnston on the select board; Wayne Johnston is the only candidate for road commissioner; Glenn Gervais, Joan Jackson, James Lindsey and Catherine Walker are seeking four available spots on the budget committee; and John Bernier and Walter Greene-Morse are seeking two spots on the school committee.

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