CANAAN — Residents at Town Meeting on Saturday will be asked to appropriate just over $1.3 million in municipal spending for the coming year.
In the election Monday, voters will be asked to chose three selectmen from a field of four candidates and to act on two proposed town ordinances.
Voting on the 33-article Town Meeting warrant is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday at the Canaan Elementary School on Main Street. The town election is scheduled from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday at the Canaan Town Office, next to the fire station.
In voting from the floor of the meeting Saturday, residents will be asked to spend $1,310,592, up from the $1,138,387 approved at last year’s Town Meeting, a difference of $172,205.
The current tax rate is $14.50 for every $1,000 in property valuation, according to Betsy Holt, Canaan’s tax collector, treasurer and secretary to the Board of Selectmen.
Among the big-ticket items at this year’s meeting is a proposal to purchase a new plow truck, with two possible options. Residents can vote to raise $100,000 this year toward the purchase of the truck, or they can vote to allow selectmen to enter into a lease-purchase agreement for a new truck, not to exceed $200,000. If the lease-purchase option is adopted, then voters will be asked to use money in the plow truck reserve account to make the first payment on a new truck. Canaan voters last year approved placement of money in the reserve to save for a new plow.
Other spending articles include a total of $326,194 for general town expenses and $175,000 to continue road improvements. There also is a proposal to raise $50,000 for a reserve account to build an addition to the town garage.
Residents also will be asked to raise $160,000 for winter roads, $93,900 for summer roads, $68,500 for the Canaan Fire Department and $115,600 for solid waste reduction.
There also is a proposal to take $300,000 from surplus to reduce taxes.
In the election Monday, incumbent Selectmen Garrett Buzzell and Daniel Harriman are seeking re-election, challenged by Jeffrey Clark and Joseph Jackson for three seats on the board for a one-year term. Incumbent Selectwoman Rita Graff is not on the ballot.
Michael Robinson Jr. is seeking a return as road commissioner, unopposed for one year; and Jean Franklin is on the ballot unopposed for a seat on the school board. Denise Stetkis is unopposed on the ballot for a three-year term as town clerk. Deborah Connell, Paula Robinson and Richard Tory are on the ballot for five open seats on the Planning Board.
The two referendum questions on Monday’s ballot ask Canaan voters whether the town should adopt an ordinance prohibiting retail marijuana establishments and social clubs and a sex offender ordinance.
Under the proposed sex offender ordinance, the town would enter into an agreement with the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office for the enforcement of criminal violations. Civil violations would be handled by the Board of Selectmen.
The proposal spells out setback requirements for “restricted properties” such as schools, public parks or playgrounds, along with residency requirements for registered sex offenders. No property owner would be allowed to rent or lease to a designated sex offender a residence that is within 750 feet of any of the restricted properties in town.
If approved, the proposal would remain in effect through March 27, 2022. The town Planning Board and the sheriff’s office would compose and maintain maps showing the designated restricted zones and file it with the town clerk.
Doug Harlow — 612-2367
Twitter:@Doug_Harlow
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