Winterville

Residents had to include a projected $7,000 increase in the 2002 budget they adopted on March 30 to support SAD 27, from which they are attempting to withdraw.

The town still is awaiting a Superior Court decision on its request to withdraw from the school district, a process started in August 1999.

Town Manager James Nadeau said Friday the $7,000 increase put the estimated education cost at $175,000.

Nadeau, who also manages the town of Eagle Lake, said his two towns, situated on the lake, have the highest valuation of any of the communities in the school district. School officials use 100 percent of the valuation to determine the per-pupil cost share, he said.

If the towns succeed in their efforts, they want to form a school district and take over operation of the school for pupils in kindergarten through grade eight in Eagle Lake and tuition high school students to Fort Kent.

“Our figures say we can do it cheaper,” he said Friday.

The annual town meeting was attended by 17 residents who disposed of the warrant articles in 40 minutes after discussions on some budget items.

While the general government expenses were $3,700 higher, undesignated surplus funds were transferred to offset that expense, instead of using taxation.

That increase came from the town having to assume the entire operational costs of the municipal building when a decline in enrollment of the Head Start program caused it to leave the facility.

“We are trying to hold our own, especially on the municipal budget because we know the increase in education and at the county level will raise our mill rate at least three-quarters of a mill,” said Nadeau.

The tax rate is $13.40 per $1,000 in property valuation.

During elections, all the incumbents were returned to offices unopposed. They were Ricky Tardie, third assessor, three years; Rena Beaulieu, treasurer, one year; and Patsy Crane, tax collector and town clerk, one year.

Amity

Voters at the March 30 town meeting approved a feasibility study for a regional fire station.

After the meeting, Larry Hamilton was named to head a group of volunteers to see whether such a fire department would be in the best interests of the town and other nearby communities.

Darrell Williams, town manager, said Friday the contract with the town of Houlton, at $6,176, was $600 higher this year.

“The main goal of the town manager and selectmen is to lower our taxes as much as possible and cut corners where we can and hopefully save residents some money without cutting services. It’s a good start this year,” said the manager, who has been on the job since February.

Voters turned down a warrant article asking if they wanted to change the town meeting date from March to the end of June. Some residents had hoped their fiscal year would coincide with that of the school so they would have actual figures presented at town meeting.

Williams said town officials were “strongly” encouraging residents to attend school board meetings where budgets were discussed.

“We feel all the smaller towns are cutting expenses and tightening up, and we want them to do the same for us,” said Williams.

The town’s tax rate of $18.10 per $1,000 in property valuation will drop this year with new property valuation in the tax base, he said.

The $213,350 municipal budget included $94,000 for education and $10,935 for county taxes.

Property taxes will bring in $138,993 from the 200 residents in the community and from parcels owned by people living away.

Incumbent Glen Clifford was returned to a three-year term as selectman.

– Compiled by Gloria Flannery