South Thomaston

Residents gave their neighbor a lift Tuesday by approving a $20,000 donation toward Rockland Fire Department’s proposed ladder truck purchase.

Rockland often helps South Thomaston with mutual aid and ambulance service.

Besides that contribution, residents voted at town meeting to give social service agencies the same amounts as this year, cutting a requested $14,375 to $10,625, according to administrative assistant Barbara Black on Wednesday.

The 2005 budget, proposed at $982,135, was passed with a minor adjustment. The town added $1,800 to buy propane for a Fire Department generator that was purchased with grant funds.

The new municipal budget reflects an increase of roughly 1.2 percent over the current budget. The town’s share of county taxes is $170,671, an increase of less than 1 percent, and SAD 5 taxes have not been determined.

A $90,000 revaluation of town properties also was approved. 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.

The tax rate now 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 was re-elected to a three-year seat. Four people vied for longtime SAD 5 director Mary Ellen Wilson’s seat. Kimberly Appleby won with 27 votes. Margaret Searle got 26 votes; Ruth Anne Hohfeld, 23; and Matthew Whitman, 12. After nine years on the board, Wilson did not seek re-election. (Leanne M. Robicheau, BDN)