CLINTON — Residents approved a $3.3 million municipal budget and reelected several town officials as part of the annual Town Meeting held this week.
Town Council Chairperson Jeffrey Towne was reelected to a three-year term on the council, defeating Stephen Hebert 218 to 172. Councilor Brian Bickford was reelected to a two-year term on the council, defeating David Scott 255 to 138.
Terrance Knowles was reelected to a three-year term on the Maine School Administrative District 49 board of directors, and Joy Jandreau was reelected to a three-year term on the Brown Memorial Library board of trustees. Both were uncontested races.
Of the 47 articles on the town warrant, residents at Tuesday’s meeting rejected two. The first one would have transferred $25,000 from undesignated surplus to the nuisance property reserve account, giving it a balance of $35,000 for the demolition of a building at 37 Baker St.
The town bought the Baker Street property last year and wants to demolish the building and use the land as the location for a new fire station. The article to move the funds was voted down 218 to 215.
The second article that was rejected would have allowed the town to increase the property tax levy if the town budget creates a property tax commitment larger than the state’s limit. That article was voted down 259 to 140.
Residents did approve switching to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System for the Fire Department and Police Department in a 258 to 143 vote. The change was brought up by the department chiefs several months ago who argued the new system is a key tool to retain and attract staff for both departments.
Also approved was a one-year moratorium on large-scale solar developments, in a 240 to 165 vote. The moratorium is meant to give the Planning Board time to develop ordinances and an approval process specifically for solar projects.
Lastly, voters approved an article to adopt the Riverview Cemetery as town property in a 259 to 129 vote.
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