ANSON — Residents at the annual Town Meeting on Saturday authorized selectmen to buy property for future use in connection with the fire station.

They also decided to enact a fireworks ordinance and approved a $440,220 budget for the highway department.

About 65 people gathered at Carrabec High School for the meeting, which wrapped up in less than two hours, and during which residents approved raising $1,554,864 in taxes to fund the 2013 municipal budget. 

The amount is $626 less than the current budget, a decrease of less than 1 percent, aside from the cost of a $400,000 firetruck that was bought in 2012.

The proposal to buy the C.N. Brown property in North Anson generated some discussion; but selectmen said the low cost and potential use for the property made it worth buying, and the proposal passed.

“There is no place for parking at the fire station right now; and in the future, if we wanted to expand the department, it is coming at us right now at a fairly reasonable price,” Selectman Arnold Luce said. 

The property, which used to be a gas station and at one time was a pizza shop, has been vacant for years, he said. The town has spoken with the owner and could purchase the property for $25,000, Luce said.

Residents also voted to authorize selectmen to demolish the C.N. Brown building using money from the property reserve account, provided the cost does not exceed $7,000. 

The fireworks ordinance, which stemmed from the legalization of consumer fireworks in 2012, will prohibit igniting fireworks within 75 feet of a structure and prohibit their use on roads and public property. It was approved.

In elections, Arnold Luce and Philip W. Turner were re-elected to the Board of Selectmen. Each received 46 votes in a race that also included Craig Knight, who received 38 votes. 

James R. Manzer was elected to the board of School Administrative District 74 with 72 votes. Francis C. Sabol was elected to the Anson-Madison Sanitary District board of trustees with 61 votes, and Harry R. Withee was elected to the Anson Water District board of trustees with 57 votes.

Residents also approved $311,960 for debt service and capital projects, $188,189 for administration, $95,000 for disposal of solid waste, $110,484 for fire hydrants and $28,885 for charitable contributions.

Rachel Ohm —  612-2368
rohm@mainetoday.com