The removal of the Coopers Mills dam is one of the topics expected to elicit public discussion during Whitefield’s Town Meeting on Saturday.

The Atlantic Salmon Federation, Midcoast Conservancy and the town’s Coopers Mills Dam Committee have worked for more than a year to develop a plan for the future of the dam site in the hopes of improving fish passage.

“The salmon folks have done a great job trying to cover every aspect of this proposal,” said Selectman Dennis Merrill. “I think they put together a really good proposal for people to consider, and I expect we’ll create some debate on (this issue).”

The proposal calls for the removal of the dam, the construction of three dry hydrants for increased fire safety and the creation of a public space focused on historical preservation, public access and watershed education, according to Andrew Goode, Atlantic Salmon Federation Vice President of U.S. programs.

Goode said the proposal is the best scenario for the town and for the site’s future, and there would be no cost to the town. The Atlantic Salmon Federation and Midcoast Conservancy would fund the entire project.

Merrill said the budget for the upcoming year, which starts July 1, will remain largely in line with last year’s plan, though Merrill said the town has “a little more surplus this year.” The municipal budget comes in at about $1,090,000, about $37,000 higher than last year, but the town has approximately $155,000 in surplus, according to the warrant.

“The tax rate will be going down a little bit because we are going to take more out of our surplus to (cover costs),” Merrill said.

The Select Board and Budget Committee have recommended the town spend $95,000 from the surplus to purchase a road grader. Merrill said the amount the town intends to spend on maintaining the roads is “basically the same” as last year.

Voters in the town of more than 2,300 will decide whether or not to spend $4,500 on a partnership with the Gardiner Public Library. If the article passes, Whitefield residents would have access to the library on Water Street for one year.

Merrill said another interesting proposal voters will weigh in on is the installation of solar panels on the fire station that would provide electricity for town buildings. The long-term agreement with an unnamed private firm, if approved, would have no upfront cost to the town because the company would own the panels for the first six years. Merrill would not specify the name of the company.

“After the sixth year, the town would have the option to purchase the panels,” Merrill said. “According to the company, the town would save about $110,000 over a period of 40 years.”

The town received an additional $20,000 in excise tax revenue and $45,000 in unassigned surplus compared to last year, Merrill said.

The warrant also includes votes on a tax deferment for senior citizens and whether or not to join the National Flood Insurance Program. The deferral program, which would be one of the few enacted in the state, would allow low-income residents over the age of 70 to defer their property tax payments until their home is sold, they move out or they are deceased.

Other notable items in the budget include an increase of $3,311 for the salaries and benefits of town officials, $1,000 more for the Whitefield Cemetery and an additional $500 for the Whitefield Food Bank.

Whitefield will vote to elect new officials by secret ballot from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Whitefield Fire & Rescue Station. Incumbents Frank Ober and Tony Marple and former selectman Bruce Mathews are vying for two spots on the select board. Road Commissioner David Boynton is running unopposed, and voters will decide whether that position’s term will go from one to three years.

“We hope the secret ballot process will be more convenient,” Merrill said.

The Town Meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Whitefield Elementary School.

Jason Pafundi — 621-5663

jpafundi@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @jasonpafundiKJ

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