MERCER — Residents will decide Saturday whether to approve heating system improvements at the Mercer Community Center and paving a section of Old Route 2.

Residents will be asked to appropriate money for heating improvements at the center: paid for with up to $40,000 from the harvesting of the town forest, $41,000 from an Efficiency Maine grant and specified donations.

The budget committee is also recommending that the town approve $80,000 for summer road maintenance and $126,000 for winter road maintenance.

Old Route 2 paving would start at the New Sharon end and work toward Sandy River Road as far as money would allow, according to the warrant. Ditching and culvert work would be completed as necessary.

The project would be paid for with $34,512 from a grant and up to $30,000 from the summer roads appropriation, if that measure passes.

Town officers’ salaries are projected to total $38,657. The budget committee is not recommending that $1,500 be appropriated for an office assistant.

The town will vote to elect five people from the floor of the meeting to serve on the budget committee.

The budget committee is recommending that residents approve $21,000 for solid waste disposal and recycling; $5,500 for Shaw Library; $18,200 for public safety; and $16,995 for general assistance.

The town meeting will start at 3 p.m. on Saturday at the center, with a one-hour meal break starting at 5 p.m.

Erin Rhoda — 612-2368

erhoda@centralmaine.com

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