MILO – A small group of local residents on Monday approved a 2004 municipal spending plan of $1,424,797 that reflected an increase of $131,161 over last year’s approved municipal budget.

About 25 of the 1,500 residents in the town attended the annual town meeting when approval was given to split tax bills into two equal installments to help the town’s cash flow. Although the article generated much discussion, residents ultimately agreed to the Aug. 15 and Dec. 15 tax dates.

Town Manager Jane Jones reflected Tuesday on the small attendance. She said life is fast-paced and it appears to be difficult for residents to find time to participate in municipal functions. The small showing could indicate that residents are satisfied with the way municipal government is being handled, she said.

Residents on Monday also authorized selectmen to appropriate $25,000 from fund balance to be used to leverage $1.1 million in federal, state and private funding for economic development related to the Eastern Piscataquis Industrial Park. The funds will not be used unless subsequent approval is granted to the full project by residents.

Another economic piece that residents approved was the town’s participation in the Pine Tree Development Zone Program. Piscataquis County, Dexter and Newport, jointly have been designated one of eight regions in the state that will be targeted for efforts to encourage business development.

The budget approved includes 3 percent merit pay raises for municipal employees. No pay raises were provided last year.

Also included in the spending plan is $5,000 to begin a Comprehensive Plan and $20,000 for an upgrade of the town’s computer systems.

Elected as selectmen were Tony Hamlin and Amber Gahagan. Elected to the SAD 41 board of directors were Donald Crossman and Neil Hamlin to three-year terms, Todd Lyford to a two-year term, and Cheryl Benoit, to a one-year term.