ANSON — Residents approved a new property maintenance ordinance and other items Saturday at Town Meeting.

The meeting, which lasted about an hour, drew about 50 people to Garret Schenck School to vote on a 44-item warrant.

The proposed $1,751,652 budget was approved fully, although there was discussion on items related to the town Highway Department funds and a youth recreation program.

Selectman Phil Turner made two motions that would reduce funding for the Highway Department, including reducing funding for a replacement plow truck and a department reserve account; and to reduce the overall highway budget by about $74,000.

Turner said he proposed the latter reduction because the department still had $74,000 in its reserve account, though Administrative Assistant Tammy Murray and Road Commissioner Arty Lane said the figure was actually around $54,000.

Lane argued against Turner’s proposed reduction, saying that the department needs money for its capital reserve account to build a highway garage, and that there was money left in reserve this year because of the mild winter.

“The type of winter we’ve had is one reason we haven’t spent as much this year on salt and fuel,” Lane said. “It’s been an easier winter, and in making the budget for this year, I cut lines where I felt we could.”

Both the capital reserve fund and the highway fund budgets passed as recommended by selectmen and the town advisory committee.

One resident also questioned the town’s proposal to spend $27,620 for its recreation budget. Several residents objected to the notion that the town should spend less on the recreation budget, including newly elected member of the Board of Selectmen Angela Manzer, who said the town’s recreation program is a “wonderful program” that provides after-school homework help and exercise opportunities to the town’s children.

That item also passed as originally recommended.

In addition to the budgetary items, residents also approved a new property maintenance ordinance that will allow the town to fine residents who do not comply with minimum standards for property and grounds maintenance. They also approved a street opening ordinance and an update to the special amusement permit ordinance.

In elections, the chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Arnold Luce, and Manzer were elected to the board, defeating Daniel Savage in a three-way race for two seats.

Luce received 80 votes; Manzer, 93; and Savage, 63. Write-in candidates Phil Mattingly received 52 votes and Phil Turner, 7.

In a three-way race for two seats on the board of directors of School Administrative District 74, Troy Dunphy and Dulcie Welch were elected with 145 and 89 votes, respectively. Brian Nelson received 88 votes.

In uncontested races, Brian Nelson and Heather Taylor each were elected to the Anson-Madison Sanitary District Board of Trustees. Nelson received 141 votes and Taylor, 153.

Rachel Ohm — 612-2368

rohm@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @rachel_ohm

Related Stories