Warren

Residents of Warren will decide the future of the former Crowe Rope property when they gather for town meeting this week.

The dilapidated building is history and the land is open space. Townspeople can view at the town office three design plans for a public park.

On the town meeting agenda Tuesday is whether to keep the 1.25-acre parcel or dispose of it by bid or by sale.

Another question will be whether to establish a park on the waterfront parcel for public use or some other use.

The third query will be to allow selectmen to seek grants for improvements to the property.

The 2005 budget also will be decided by taxpayers at the meeting.

Selectmen are presenting a $1,916,731 municipal budget, which is 1 percent less than the current year’s budget. On top of town expenses, Warren will pay $212,012 for its Knox County assessment, which reflects a 7 percent decrease from the current year. The town’s share of SAD 40 expenses has not yet been determined. Last year, the town paid roughly $2,371,401 toward education costs.

Anticipated 2005 revenues total $941,416, which is 5 percent higher than the current year.

The 2004 property tax rate is $15.80 per $1,000 of assessed value. It is not yet known what effect the municipal, county and school costs will have on 2005 tax bills.

In the next fiscal year, no major capital expenditures are expected, Town Manager Grant Watmough said.

The town manager’s salary is slated to rise 3 percent to $46,700, the same percentage of wage increase recommended for all employees.

In voting today, Selectmen John Crabtree and Frank Braun will run unopposed for two three-year seats.

There are no candidates for incumbent SAD 40 director Wesley Richardson’s expiring three-year term. Richardson, who was elected in November to the state House District 49 seat, is not seeking re-election.

Three incumbents on the Warren Sanitary District will run for three-year seats: Robert Graham, Cathy McKeown and Mark Anderson. Graham is unopposed; McKeown will vie against Christopher Donlin; and Anderson will compete with Randall Faloon Jr.

Polls will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at the town office for election of town officers. Warren’s annual town meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, at the Masonic Hall on Route 90.

South Thomaston

One-stop voting is on tap for South Thomaston residents when they gather for town meeting this week.

Residents not only will vote on a budget, they also will elect town officers from the floor rather than at the polls.

The municipal budget being presented is $982,135.

The proposed budget represents a 1.16 percent increase over this year’s anticipated expenses.

In addition, residents will face Knox County and SAD 5 assessments.

The town’s share of county taxes is $170,671, an increase of less than 1 percent, according to Administrative Assistant Barbara Black. SAD 5 taxes have not been determined, she said.

A sampling of town expenses: salaries and stipends, $178,288, up 8.41 percent; transfer station, $103,482, up 3.45 percent; Fire Department, $44,048, down less than 1 percent; town roads and snowplowing contract, $196,163, down roughly 19 percent. Last year, the town doubled its paving projects.

A $90,000 revaluation of town properties also is included in the 2005 budget. The update of property values is expected to be completed in time for the 2005 commitment. The work is being done by Vision Appraisal Technology of Northboro, Mass.

Debt, interest and principal payments rising 76 percent because the town is proposing to pay off its new firetruck. The annual cost increases to $45,753.

Other expenses taking jumps are insurance, fuel, utility and phone costs. Insurance premiums are rising by more than 27 percent to $21,624, while combined fuel, utility and phone expenses are increasing 12.5 percent to $24,850.

The amount to be raised by property taxes is $393,134, which includes $10,625 for social services.

Contributions to social services are decided from the floor, Black said, so that figure may change.

The current tax rate is $18.90 per $1,000 of assessed value. The new rate will be determined when the school budget is passed and town costs are approved.

Selectwoman Pennie Alley will compete with any nominees for a three-year seat. Newcomer Ruth Ann Hohfeld will run for a three-year SAD 5 director’s seat now held by Mary Ellen Wilson.

South Thomaston’s annual town meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, at Gilford Butler School. Voters will elect new town officers from the floor.