Orrington fills posts, OKs town, school budgets

ORRINGTON – Residents adopted a $6.7 million budget for municipal, county and school operations during their annual town meeting Monday night at Center Drive School.

During a town meeting that was moderated by Donald Wiswell and yielded neither questions nor debate, voters approved a $5 million education budget and a $1.4 million budget for municipal operations for the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1.

The $1,432,971 spending plan municipal officials developed reflects a 2 percent increase from this year’s budget, Town Manager Dexter Johnson said earlier. The county tax bill amounted to $232,975, an increase of 21.3 percent, he said.

Superintendent Allan Snell said that school officials put together a budget of $5,074,320, up $253,748 – or 5.26 percent – from this year.

In local elections earlier in the day, voters elected three selectmen and two school committee members.

Incumbent Selectman Melvin Coombs and former Selectman Howard Grover won the two three-year seats available this year with 96 and 73 votes, respectively. Grover succeeds Selectman Joseph Coffin, who is leaving the board after numerous years of service, many as chairman. Dain Bryant, who also sought a seat, had 58 votes.

Ernest Fogg, who was unopposed for the remaining year of Doug Fogg’s unexpired term, was elected with 119 votes. Doug Fogg’s wife, Danielle, is continuing her education at Duke University and the family will be moving to North Carolina shortly.

Elected to the school committee were Nancy Snyder, an incumbent candidate who received 112 votes, and Judy Green, who received 95 votes. Green succeeds Jack Patrick, who opted not to seek re-election this year after 12 years of service.

In his yearly address, Johnson recognized many of the people who have helped shape life in Orrington. Among those lauded were community volunteers, elected officials, members of appointed boards and committees and municipal and school staff.

Residents also recognized Constable Coordinator Tim Majerske, who is moving to Pennsylvania, and Deputy Town Clerk Carole Hardin and Sharon O’Donnell, deputy clerk and deputy tax collector, both of whom plan to retire soon. Hardin, who retires in June after 35 years with the town, received a standing ovation during the meeting. Johnson said an open house will be held in her honor from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 24, at the Town Hall.

Residents also observed a moment of silence for residents Elmer Giffard and Robert Littlejohn, who both died recently. Giffard was a longtime summer public works employee. This year’s annual town report was dedicated to Littlejohn, who served the community in several capacities, including nine years as a selectman.