Blaine

Town residents last week passed a $180,015 budget, Blaine Town Manager Chappy Clark said Monday.

The 2004-05 budget reflects an approximate $3,000 increase from last year, though the school and county portions of the budget are unknown, Clark said.

The town does not expect to increase its mill rate, which was 18.5 mills last year, because it will make up the difference with state revenue sharing and town surplus funds.

In local elections, Nathan Smith was re-elected to a three-year term on the Board of Selectmen and Steve Robertson was re-elected to a three-year term on the school board. Both were unopposed for the seats.

Chapman

Residents last week passed a $284,750 town budget, according to Town Manager John Edgecomb.

The higher than usual budget, an increase of $10,944 from last year, is because of an expansion in road miles that the city will plow this year, Edgecomb said Monday.

Chapman had an increase in road miles this year because of a change in a road agreement with Presque Isle, Edgecomb said.

The mill rate, which includes school budget estimates, stands at 16.5. On a $50,000 home, a resident would pay $825. Last year’s mill rate was 15.8 mills.

In local elections, incumbent Kevin B. Carter was re-elected to a three-year term for the combined position of selectman, overseer of the poor and assessor.

Wade

Residents spent approximately 40 minutes last week at the shortest and easiest annual town meeting Wade has had for quite some time, according to Donna Turner, town treasurer-clerk.

Residents passed the $112,672 budget, an increase of approximately $14,000 from last year, Turner said Monday.

The major reason for the increase was the town’s need for a new backhoe, Turner said.

The clerk said if the school and county portions of the budget do not increase, the town likely will see a one-half to 1 mill increase in its rate. Wade’s mill rate last year was 21.7 mills.

In town elections, Charlie Kelley was re-elected to a three-year term on the Board of Selectmen and Debi-Jo Woollard was elected to a three-year seat on the school board.

Donna Turner was re-elected as town clerk, tax collector and treasurer.

– Compiled by NEWS reporter Rachel Rice