Voters to revisit SAD 67 budget

LINCOLN -Voters who earlier shot down SAD 67’s proposed budget will get a second chance on Tuesday to pass or fail the school administrative district’s $10.6 million plan.

The $10.6 million vote was defeated July 12, but SAD 67 interim Superintendent Omar Norton recommended giving the voters another chance to vote on the same budget.

He said that with only 528 people voting on the budget, the turnout was too low to be taken as a proper gauge of voters’ desires.

That opinion drew criticism from Town Council members earlier this month, who wrote Norton a letter saying that his posture was insulting to voters who took the time to vote. Besides Lincoln,

SAD 67 also serves Chester and Mattawamkeag.

The budget represents a 4.3 percent increase over this year’s, including an increase in Lincoln’s assessment to $3.56 million, which is an increase of 3.1 percent over the 2004-2005 budget.

Chester’s assessment increases a whopping 28 percent to $735,448, while Mattawamkeag’s decreases 5.6 percent to $365,852, according to recent board meeting minutes.

Norton and school board members held a number of public hearings in the three towns to explain that most of the increases are caused by fixed expenses, such as contracted salary increases, and inflation, and to help encourage more people to vote.

The polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Mattanawcook Academy.

Residents who are not registered to vote can register at the town office in Lincoln or at the polls if they bring proper identification and proof of residency.

Voters in Chester can vote at the Marianne Municipal Building, and Mattawamkeag voters can vote at their municipal building from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Booklets outlining the budget are also available at the SAD 67 offices next to the town offices or by calling 794-6500.