Alton residents vote $8,000 for landfill legal costs

ALTON – At their annual town meeting Saturday, Alton residents voted to allocate $8,000 for legal expenses in negotiating a benefit package for the town in the West Old Town Landfill deal.

Lawyers’ fees initially were estimated at $3,500 and the Board of Selectmen requested that $5,000 be appropriated from excise taxes. That original quote increased with the need for additional public hearings and to complete negotiations.

The board requested on Saturday that an additional $3,000 be earmarked for lawyers’ fees and after some debate, residents voted to allow it.

Despite the fact that the entrance to the landfill is in Alton, state officials did not recognize the town in the resolve as a host community. The town has come to an agreement with the state that it deserves some recognition and is working with officials to develop an amicable agreement on a benefits package.

Of the 38 articles on the town warrant, residents voted to change only three of the selectmen’s original recommendations.

The recommended amount for town office expenses was increased by $1,000 to total $14,500. The extra money is needed to accommodate the cost of additional special town meetings. One such meeting will be to discuss the town’s comprehensive plan that is being designed, and an additional two meetings will be held to discuss the town’s role in the West Old Town Landfill deal.

Residents also voted to double funds to be appropriated for possible repairs on the Argyle Road, bringing that figure to $1,000.

In other business, the following people were elected to office:

. Ron Borja, selectman, to serve a three-year term.

. Melissa Spencer and Miles Feero Jr., school board, to serve three-year terms.

. Jackie Huggins, town clerk.

. Paulette Borja, tax collector and treasurer.

. Nelson Feero, sexton.

. Reed Thompson, Jackie Huggins, Robert Leland, Ken Young and George Spencer were chosen to serve on the budget committee.