MERRILL, Maine — Nearly 20 people attended Merrill’s annual town meeting Tuesday, March 8, 2016, to approve a municipal budget for 2016.
At the polls earlier in the day, 51 voters cast ballots for available selectmen seats. There are only 158 registered voters in the community, therefore 32 percent of those voters cast ballots.
Incumbent Thomas Goff received 27 votes winning the election. Write-in candidate Robert Furrow received 23 votes and there was one spoiled ballot, according to Town Manager Candy Nevers.
“The town of Merrill has a history of a large percent of registered voters voting,” Nevers said.
All of the warrant articles were approved as written, Nevers said. The municipal budget is set at $176,800 for 2016 – as compared to last year at $170,200. As was the case for neighboring Smyrna, the slight increase is due to a raise in the town’s road maintenance account.
The County tax for 2016 is also up somewhat at $16,709, as compared to $16,220 a year ago.
Voters also opted to use $102,105 in other funds to reduce the rate of taxation compared to using $96,894. last year.
The homestead exemption will increase from $10,000.00 per qualifying taxpayer to $15,000, which will result in a reduction in taxes of $270 as compared to last year’s figure of $175.
“Because we are losing an additional $240,000 in unfunded homestead exemptions and we are losing $340,340 in valuation due to a reduction in value of roads in tree growth parcels, the mill rate will increase by one-third of a point,” Nevers said.
The mill rate is currently $17.50.
