Town voters bear down on budgets > Residents tighten belts at annual meetings

A slowdown in the state’s economy, which is already taking a huge bite out of state revenues, was also evident at Maine town meetings, where voters this weekend scrutinized spending and lopped large sums from their local budgets.

In the southern Maine town of Durham, residents debated for nearly three hours, and voted twice by raising hands and two more times by ballots before deciding not to appropriate money for a portable classroom.

Some residents said they were concerned about higher taxes during the steamy debate over whether to spend $20,000 to rent a third trailer for the overcrowded elementary school.

Others warned that the crowded school could end up in violation of safety codes. But most people agreed that the trailer will probably be bought anyway when the school board finds money for it.

“Town politics doesn’t always make sense,” said First Selectwoman Margaret Wentworth.

Nearly 40 town meetings were held across Maine as the season for New England’s celebrated local gatherings moved into full swing during the weekend.

Voters in many towns seemed to be extra conscious of spending issues this year, as state legislators in Augusta consider spending cuts caused by a projected tax shortfall of $210 million through mid-1991.

In Kingfield, voters trimmed $40,000 from their already austere town budget, bringing it down to $220,000. Andover voters rejected plans to buy a $150,000 fire truck because “they just felt it was too much money for the town to spend right now,” said town clerk Kathy Williamson.

Hartland turned down a proposal to spend $123,700 for a police force and $10,000 for a new bandstand.

And in Strong, voters OK’d a $60,000 proposal for road maintenance, but balked when asked to approve another $85,000 for a new grader to do the work.

Recycling was also on the minds of many voters who gathered at town meetings this weekend.

Belgrade voters approved plans to set up a recycling program, Solon residents agreed to join a recycling project with Madison-area towns, and voters in Greene authorized the borrowing of $287,000 to build a recycling center to replace the landfill.

Noise pollution was on Cambridge’s warrant. Owners of dogs that bark at night were put on notice that they’ll face fines of $25 to $100.