Residents in several communities in southern Aroostook County gathered recently for town meetings. And while turnout might be considered low, most town managers stated the lack of big ticket items, and poor weather on voting day, likely kept many people from attending.
The following is a recap of town meetings that the Houlton Pioneer Times was able to gather information on.
New Limerick
Meeting March 28, a group 16 residents approved a municipal budget of $353,058, which is an increase of $4,723 over the previous year. The main reasons for the increase were a rise in town government expenses of $2,000 (now $32,000) and fire protection services by about $2,000 (now $86,555).
Paul Harrison was re-elected to a three-year seat on the town’s board of selectmen, while Darlene Theriault was elected to a three-year seat on the SAD 70 board. Curtis Harrison was elected to a one-year seat on the school board.
Monticello
Monticello Town Manager Ginger Pryor said she felt that the turnout of 39 voters March 21 was “pretty good” for a town meeting.
Residents approved all 57 articles on the warrant without debate, and approved the total budget of $609,412, which was “up slightly over last year,” Pryor said.
Three people — Michael Swimm, Lawrence Prosser and David Wallingford — ran for one three-year term on the Board of Selectmen. Swimm won the seat.
Peter Harvey Jr. was elected to fill a seat on the RSU 29 school board.
“There were only minor changes to the warrant here and there,” said Pryor. “Not a whole lot happened.”
Littleton
In Littleton March 21, it took the town only 17 minutes to complete business, Town Manager Courtney Toby said.
“Only eight people attended the meeting,” she said.
Voters approved a $454,160 budget for the community, which was up $10,330, or 2 percent, over last year, Toby said.
“There were no arguments about the budget or changes to the warrant,” she said
Gordon Hagerman and Colby Shaw retained their positions as selectmen.
Toby said that there was an open position on the RSU 29 school board and two names were written in, but both individuals declined.
“So we still need to find one person to fill that seat,” she said.
Stacyville
A group of 41 residents turned out for the annual town meeting March 21. Alvin Theriault was re-elected to the town’s board of selectmen, assessor and overseer of the poor with 28 votes. Brian McQuarrie received 13 votes.
Desiree Harrison was elected to the RSU 50 school board. Harrison received 24 votes, while McQuarrie collected 14 votes.
A warrant article asking residents if they wished to raise $15,000 for legal costs to explore withdrawing from RSU 50 was approved by voters.
A total budget municipal budget of $377,443 was authorized by residents. The budget is an increase of $10,775 of (2.8 percent) over last year’s spending package.
Dyer Brook
Meeting on March 21, a small gathering of residents approved a municipal budget of $144,330, which is a decrease of $14,782 from last year’s municipal appropriations ($159,112), according to Town Clerk Florence Hardy.
“We are already aware that the County tax is more than last year and the school budget has yet to be voted on,” Hardy said. “I am hoping to keep the mill rate close to last year’s level of 13.9 mills.”
Incumbent Wade Slauenwhite and newcomer Robert Betschner Sr. were both elected to the town’s board of selectmen with 16 votes each. Hardy was re-elected as town clerk with 16 votes and Randy Curry was re-elected as town treasurer with 14 votes.
