Woodland holds town meeting, sets mill rate, and approves utility tractor purchase

Woodland residents nearly unanimously shot down an article to spend up to $25,000 on a new utility tractor for the town's Public Works department in hopes that selectmen could later approve the purchase of a more expensive, and ultimately more reliable, vehicle for the town during their second annual meeting on June 20 in the Woodland Consolidated School gymnasium. (Christopher Bouchard)

WOODLAND, Maine — The town of Woodland held its second annual budget meeting on June 20 and selectmen two days later set the mill rate at 19.75, up .50 over last year. All items on the town meeting warrant passed with the exception of one related to the purchase of a new tractor for the town.

While the original article asked voters if they would approve spending up to $25,000 for a utility tractor, voters nearly unanimously opposed the question in favor of spending more.

Public Works Director Chris Fournier told residents at the town meeting at the Woodland Consolidated School that the $25,000 tractor would “do the job” but it likely wouldn’t have any resale value or be as reliable as a more expensive model.

Selectman Tom Drew said he was glad that residents were present “not to vote against the purchase of a tractor, but for the purchase of the right one,” adding that the “best thing we could do is vote this down.”

Since voters could only vote the question up or down, however, a special town meeting will be needed to authorize raising more money for the tractor. One audience member questioned whether waiting for another town meeting would take too long if the tractor was needed sooner.

After Amber Moutinho, the town tax collector for the town, told the group that reserve account funds could be used to buy the machine, the audience nearly unanimously rejected the original article.

Two days later, during their regular meeting, the selectmen approved using reserve account funds to buy a New Holland tractor for $44,223 plus a five year warranty for $3,386. As many residents had suggested during the town meeting, the tractor will have four-wheel drive and an air-conditioned cab, and will be equipped with a mower, sweeper and roller.

Officials also discussed the 0.50 mill increase, with Moutinho citing a $5,000 homestead exemption increase from last year along with the school’s request for an additional local allocation of approximately $24,000 as contributing factors.

The 2017-18 school budget, which was approved by residents on June 20, is $1,933,732.50.