Cushing to vote on $610,080 budget

CUSHING – As brisk development changes the physical landscape of this midcoast community, its governing body is growing, too.

Town voters next week will choose five selectmen. A previous vote increased the board from three to five members.

The recent resignation of Chairman Michael Myrick opens a third seat to be voted on at the polls.

The first selectman’s seat, held by Alton Grover, will see two contenders: David Cobey and Randall Robbins. It’s a three-year position. Those running for Myrick’s third selectman’s post, which is a two-year term, are Frank Solari and Kim Young.

Grover will run unopposed for the fourth selectman’s two-year seat. Keith Feyler and Peter Haviland will compete for the fifth selectman’s seat, a one-year term.

The annual town meeting Tuesday is where the budget and other articles will be decided.

The municipal budget totals $610,080.

While $440,800 will be taken from excise taxes to reduce the budget, the balance will be raised through property taxes.

The current tax rate is $10.37 per $1,000 of assessed value.

In addition to the municipal budget, the town pays Knox County and SAD 50 assessments, which are not yet known.

In recent years, development pressures on this peninsula have pushed the town toward drafting an initial comprehensive plan. Residents will be asked to spend $6,000 in matching funds to obtain an $18,000 State Planning Office grant to develop the plan.

Taxpayers also will vote on raising $12,000 per year for three years for aerial photographs of the town.

A separate article seeks $10,000 for a water resources study required by the comprehensive plan. It will locate and evaluate the town’s resources and any protection they might need.

A new firetruck is up for discussion through a request to spend $80,000 from excise taxes. If that is approved, a second article seeking to set aside $20,000 for the fire engine replacement fund would be passed over.

Residents also will vote on spending $5,000 to install an alarm and telephone system in the town office.

Residents may vote from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 14, at the town fire station. The annual town meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, at the Community Center.