Cambridge to raise $16,400 for new roof

CAMBRIDGE – A gift of $1,000 was given on Wednesday to municipal officials to help with the cost of replacing the leaky town hall roof.

Residents voted at the annual town meeting on Saturday to raise $16,400 for the roof work, which is what the job is estimated to cost.

Cambridge Valley Grange members decided to make the $1,000 donation to help reduce the town’s cost.

“I believe it’s a great gift to the town of Cambridge,” Carol Laplant, administrative assistant said Wednesday, in making the announcement. She said the grange members have their own building but use the town hall for public suppers because it has more parking spaces.

Also, residents elected Bernard Watson Sr., Ronald Strouse and William Digby as first, second and third selectman, respectively. Cinthia Hoak was re-elected to the SAD 4 board and Evelyn Farrar to the HAD 4 board.

The approximately 50 residents who attended agreed to take $50,000 from a highway reserve account to pave 0.78 mile of the North Road.

As they have since 2002, no social service funds were raised because town officials say individuals can choose to donate to those agencies they wish.

While the fire department requested $15,000 for the general operation of the fire department, residents supported the selectmen’s recommendation of $13,000. The board said the fire department had received many grants in recent years that helped with the costs.

Residents discussed the maintenance of the dam that holds back Cambridge Pond. The dam needs repair, but town officials are not sure if it’s the responsibility of the town or state. Senator Paul Davis, R-Sangerville, who attended the meeting, said he would investigate the dam’s ownership.