BURLINGTON – This year’s town budget proposal will mean good news to local taxpayers, who can expect to see the tax rate drop by at least $3.50.

The annual town meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, March 26, at the Town Hall.

The proposed total budget of $142,141 represents a decrease of $22,825 compared with last year. The amount proposed to raise from local taxes is $8,841, a decrease of $56,207, or 86 percent, compared with last year.

The major reasons for the budget decrease is that officials are proposing the use of timber harvesting revenues to fund various accounts rather than funding them with local tax money.

“With the completion of many town road improvements together with higher than anticipated revenues, it is possible to now reduce the tax burden,” said Roland Minott, chairman of the Board of Selectmen.

The chairman said residents can expect to see the tax rate drop from $15.80 per $1,000 assessed property value to $12.30.

Because the town is in excellent financial condition, officials said the lower tax rate could easily be maintained for at least two years.

Minott said the lower tax rate comes at a good time, especially in light of the International Paper closing its lumber operations at the Passadumkeag and Costigan mills. He said some of the laid-off workers reside in Burlington.

Minott described the budget proposal as a status quo budget, which includes no major projects and no new positions.

The polls for municipal elections will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 24, at the town office.

Rachael Kilby, Dennis Kingman Sr. and Thomas Coyle are running unopposed for one-year terms on the Burlington Board of Selectmen.

Incumbent Marianne Poirier is running for a three-year term on the SAD 31 school board.

Lisa Woodard is running for a one-year term as town clerk. Orland Shorey is running for the one-year terms of tax collector and treasurer. Calvin Dixon is running for a one-year term as road commissioner.