The Chesterville Select Board presides over the annual town meeting Monday at the Dave Archer Town Office at 409 Dutch Gap Road. From left are Earl Martin, John Archer, Chairman Eric Hilton and Justin Richards. Hilton emphasized the importance of public participation, noting the strong turnout and engagement from residents. Rebecca Richard/Franklin Journal

CHESTERVILLE — Voters decided Monday to hold future annual town meetings on Saturdays, with many citing difficulties attending night meetings.

Select Board Chair Eric Hilton emphasized the importance of public participation.

“This meeting is your meeting,” he said. “This is the summation of all the work we do all year. We want your input.”

He noted that while turnout was strong this year, holding the meeting on a Saturday could bring more residents.

Some attendees suggested that a daytime meeting would make it easier for families because children could play outside while their parents participated.

Voters approved funding for a townwide property revaluation, allocating $150,000 over three years to bring assessments in line with fair market values.

They also approved $180,636 for administration, covering payroll, utilities and office expenses. The Chesterville Fire Department received $65,045 for personnel, training and equipment maintenance, while the transfer station budget was set at $190,548.

Public Works was authorized $488,343, with an additional $386,175 dedicated to capital road improvements. Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursements from past storms were authorized to be used for further road maintenance.

Residents also approved a measure allowing the town to enter a contract for timber harvesting on 25 acres near the transfer station. After much discussion, the article passed with an amendment requiring a licensed forester to oversee the project.

The Select Board intends to conduct selective cutting to encourage the growth of healthier trees and will seek at least three bids from logging companies.

During the discussion, Regional School Unit 9 board Chairperson Dorothy Robinson noted that while Foster Career and Technical Education Center was unavailable for collaboration this spring, forestry/agriculture instructor Rod Spiller and center Director Galen Dalrymple could be contacted for future discussions.

The new site plan review ordinance also passed, giving residents input on large business developments while not affecting small businesses.

Deputy Town Clerk Kaitlin Hilton said, “This is to allow the community to have a say” about major commercial projects. She clarified that the ordinance “won’t prevent small businesses in town” and does not apply to existing businesses.

One resident concerned about potential developments such as cannabis farms, said, “The only weed field I want next to my house is dandelions.”

Other measures approved included setting the property tax due date as Dec. 12, with an annual interest rate of 7.5% on unpaid taxes, and accepting state grants and reimbursements to help lower tax commitments. Residents also approved funding for cemetery maintenance and the town’s ambulance subsidy.

The meeting and annual town report were dedicated to Robert “Bob” Lesso, who died unexpectedly in a motor vehicle accident in November 2024.

At the close of the meeting, Hilton expressed gratitude for the community’s engagement.

“I just want to give respect to all of the people that made this possible. Everybody has done a great job this year,” he said as residents applauded.

In Friday’s municipal elections, 85 voters cast ballots. Patricia Hastings won the contested three-year Regional School Unit 9 board seat with 62 votes, defeating Tiffany Estabrook, who received 21 votes.

For the Select Board, John Archer and Jason Ward secured three-year terms with 70 and 59 votes, respectively, while Guy Iverson was elected to a one-year term with 67 votes. All three ran unopposed.