Voters at Detroit’s annual Town Meeting on Saturday will consider hiring a deputy town clerk and town hall custodian and putting away $30,000 toward the possible purchase of a fire truck in the future.

The meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the town hall, with elections to be held 1-7 p.m. Friday, also at the town hall.

Two people, Wayne Basford and Andrew Gray, are running for a three-year seat on the Board of Selectmen formerly held by Ethan Kelley, who passed away.

There are no names on the ballot for a seat on the School Administrative District 53 Board of Directors, currently held by Michelle Tuttle.

Among the 43 articles on the warrant Saturday is a request to hire a deputy town clerk who would work with Town Clerk Kathy Walston and part-time Deputy Town Clerk Debbie Niles. Niles works 12 hours a week.

Walston said Thursday that she has been town clerk 21 years, and she is getting close to retirement. Also, help is needed in the town office, according to Walston.

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“We need to think about training somebody so when I do decide to retire, they’re ready to take over,” she said.

Voters also will consider hiring a part-time custodian for the town hall, Walston said.

If voters approve all warrant articles, the budget would be about $429,000, an increase over the approximate $422,000 approved last year, she said. Town officials hope the tax rate of $14.80 per $1,000 worth of valuation does not change, she said.

“We’re trying to keep it about the same as it was,” Walston said.

Voters will be asked to take $6,000 from the general fund to repair a dry hydrant and install a catch basin for water supply for the fire department. Walston said there has been a big change in the Sebasticook River since dams were removed, and sometimes the water supply is not adequate.

Also, voters will be asked if they will put aside $30,000 toward the purchase of a fire truck in the future in case a truck is needed.

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In other matters, voters will consider spending $10,000 for computer upgrades. They will consider spending $20,000 received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to replace the fire department roof, which was damaged in the October storm.

They also will be asked to spend  $57,500 for solid waste and recycling and $25,000 for the highway fund.

 

Amy Calder — 861-9247
acalder@centralmaine.com
Twitter: @AmyCalder17


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