Bingham residents at Monday night’s annual Town Meeting agreed to raise $669,657 in taxation to fund the municipal budget for the coming year. The figure represents an increase of $5,781, or less than 1 percent, from last year’s $663,876, according to First Selectman Steve Steward.

Bingham’s tax rate will stay at the current $20.60 for every $1,000 in property valuation, he said. The final tax rate will not be calculated until the county tax is assessed and the school spending bill comes due.

Municipal spending this year includes an increase in the town recreation budget, which will double from $7,000 last year to $14,000 this year. The increase includes $5,000 for a playground to be built behind Quimby School. Steward said a playground was there before, but it was vandalized and rendered unsafe for use.

The other increase in the recreation budget is $2,000 requested by the town of Moscow for its upcoming bicentennial celebration, Steward said Tuesday.

The Old Canada Road Historical Society also received a $1,000 increase in funding over last year.

Steward said about 40 people showed up Monday night for Town Meeting. The meeting’s highlight was a celebration and cake for Charles Pooler, who turned 100 years old Feb. 22. Pooler also was presented with the Boston Post Cane.

“It was a pretty slow meeting,” Steward said. “Things went good, which is a good thing.”

In municipal elections, there were no contested races. Incumbent Selectwoman Juliana Richard was re-elected for a three-year term. Elizabeth Brochu and Nancy MacDonald were elected to three-year terms on the board of directors of School Administrative District 13.

Doug Harlow — 612-2367

dharlow@centralmaine.com

Twitter:@Doug_Harlow

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