CLIFTON – Voters here will fill three elective positions and approve a municipal budget for the year ahead during their annual elections and town meeting on Saturday, March 17, at the municipal building on Route 9.

In secret-ballot elections from 8 a.m. to noon, voters will fill three positions on the Board of Selectmen, a larger number than they’ve had to elect in the past.

That is due to a decision by voters who attended a special town meeting last fall to increase the number of selectmen from three to five.

One of the positions up for grabs is a three-year term that expires in March. The two new positions will phased in as one- and two-year positions, but will become three-year terms in the future.

A sample ballot for the elections shows contests for all three vacancies.

Residents Brian Melvin and Cynthia Grant are candidates for the three-year position, while Walter Mcallister and former Selectman John M. Williams are seeking election to the two-year post. Running for the one-year term are Paula Kelso and John Senter.

After a break during which votes will be tallied, residents will meet at 1:30 p.m to conduct their annual housekeeping business.

According to administrative assistant Janice Tutt, residents will consider a $250,656 gross municipal budget for the 2001-02 fiscal year, up $62,745 from the budget approved last year. The total reflects increases in nearly all standing accounts, with the exception of the $6,285 final payment on the town’s year-old municipal building. It does not include spending for education, which will be addressed during the annual SAD 63 business meeting in June.

In other town business, residents will consider ordinances for the recall of elected municipal officials and for building permits and site reviews. Voters also will decide if the town will implement the Maine Online Sportsman’s Electronic System (MOSES), the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife program through which resident sports licenses and registrations may be obtained via the internet.

Voters also will consider changing the time and date of their annual town meeting from the traditional 1:30 p.m. on the third Saturday of March to 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of March.