Mount Chase voters OK bulldozer purchase

MOUNT CHASE — During municipal elections Monday at the annual town meeting in Mount Chase, it took two ballots before Cecil Gallagher defeated opponent Dean McKenney 20-16 for a three-year term on the town’s Board of Selectmen. Also, Albert Ellis was returned to the SAD 25 board of directors for a three-year term, and Scott Skinner was re-elected as constable for a one-year term. Both men ran unopposed.

Among the articles approved as part of the town’s 1990 annual budget of $100,000, was $5,000 for the purchase of a bulldozer and $1,500 for a pickup truck. A total of $5,000 from the building-reserve account was approved for a well, septic system, and construction of bathroom facilities at the town office.

A fire-protection contract with the town of Patten in the amount of $2,143 was approved as was an ambulance-service contract for $3,339. The Mount Chase Volunteer Fire Department request for $1,500 also was approved.

A total of $2,000 was approved for a contract with Scott Appraisal Services of Washburn to assess town property in 1990.

According to Administrative Assistant Susan Bates, the development of building lots in the Upper Shin Pond and Ackley Pond areas of the town had increased to the point where it became necessary for a professional assessment to be done.

The total budget approved by voters was about $15,000 more than in 1989. Bates said the increase was not out of line, considering the town had to deal with increased costs for fuel and Workers’ Compensation insurance.