Mercer to vote on budget increase Saturday

MERCER — Road improvements and maintenance are the highest budgeted items to be considered Saturday at the annual town meeting. Voters also will be asked to consider whether the town should sell a small piece of land along North Pond, among other items on the 40-article town warrant.

Selectmen have recommended a budget of $333,179, which is up $34,216, or about 11 percent, from last year, Town Clerk Yolanda Violette said.

They are also recommending using more funds from surplus, though, so the amount of money to be raised from taxes is up $20,671, or about 7.8 percent.

The highest proposed expenses for 2013 are for road maintenance. The budget committee is recommending spending $85,000 on summer road maintenance and $132,000 on winter road maintenance, with most of the money coming from taxes.

Voters will also consider allowing selectmen to sell the North Pond land, which is vacant. The lot is about 33 feet wide and 195 feet long and might generate some funds for the town, Violette said.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. Saturday in the Mercer Community Center, on Beech Hill Road.

Elections are scheduled for 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today. There are no contested races.

Rachel Ohm — 612-2368
[email protected]

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