BINGHAM — Voters will be asked at the annual Town Meeting Monday night to tap into accumulated surplus accounts, including $73,400 from winter roads, to keep the tax rate from rising.

First Selectman Steven Steward said that by carrying unspent money from previous years, the town has managed to keep the tax rate steady at $18.10 for every $1,000 in property valuation.

The amount to be taken from taxes this year if all the articles are passed as written is $631,748, down $867 from 2011. Steward said $248,516 in carry-over and surplus accounts will be put this year’s budget.

By off-setting spending with surplus money, the town will be able to afford raising $25,000 for the town of Bingham’s 200th anniversary this summer and $2,000 for the Veterans’ Fallen Soldier monument and walkway.

Other increases in the annual budget to be offset by surplus is a 3 percent pay raise for the first selectmen to $25,887 and $3,000 to be used to pay for a comprehensive plan update. Steward said it will take five or six years to raise the estimated $20,000 to complete the update.

Residents also will see less spending for public safety and health and sanitation if the budget passes as written.

Doug Harlow — 612-2367

dharlow@centralmaine.com


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