MONSON – In order to reduce the mill rate, residents will be asked later this month to reconsider some of the articles they approved at the annual March town meeting.

The budget that was adopted by residents would have maintained a mill rate of $17.50 per $1,000 valuation. Since then, however, the board has learned that LD 1 would create a 2-mill increase for the town.

“The board’s been working for several weeks since we realized the impact of LD 1,” Town Manager Judy Doore said Wednesday. “It became clear that the mill rate would increase, and the board did not want that.”

Doore, who has taken a position as Dexter’s town manager and whose last day in Monson was on Wednesday, said selectmen have made a few recommendations that will be considered by residents at a special town meeting.

That meeting will be held at 7 p.m. June 23 at the town hall meeting room.

Residents will be asked to rescind $18,000 for the first payment of the sand and salt shed. Town officials had hoped to “get a jump” on the long-term borrowing for the project by paying the first payment in December. Now selectmen have proposed paying the first payment when it comes due in 2006.

Selectmen will ask residents to rescind $6,500 earmarked for the first payment for the village development project. Since it is uncertain the town will receive a Community Development Block Grant for this improvement project this year, the funds will not be needed.

Residents also will be asked to remove $30,300 in undesignated funds for road improvements and use it to offset highway operations to reduce property taxes and to reduce the amount approved to fix the drainage problem at the municipal building.

In addition, a vacancy on the Board of Selectmen that was created by the resignation of Brenda Clawson will need to be filled. Residents interested in the position should make their intentions known at the town office by 4 p.m. June 13.