Trenton residents to weigh increases in budget items

TRENTON – Residents shouldn’t expect too much excitement at the coming annual elections or town meeting, according to officials.

There are no contested races, and the controversial Acadia National Park Gateway Center didn’t find its way onto any warrant articles.

The townspeople do get to choose whether or not to double the budget for the parks and recreation committee from $5,000 to $10,000, according to Janet Muise, town administrative assistant.

“They want to do some dredging work at the airport ramp, so boats can get in and out of there better,” she said.

The request for welfare also has increased, from $4,000 in the last fiscal year to $5,000.

“It’s been a hard winter for everyone,” Muise said.

The request for the schools has increased, too. Residents will be asked to appropriate $2.48 million, which is about $340,000 more than the amount spent in the last fiscal year.

Voters will be asked to amend nine sections of the town’s land use ordinances, Muise said.

If voters approve the changes, the planning board will no longer need to grant approval for requests to move fewer than 100 cubic yards of fill. The ordinances now require the board to approve requests for fill that are greater than 10 cubic yards. If the changes are made, the code enforcement officer would have to approve such fill requests.

Incumbent James Cameron is running unopposed for a three-year term on the Board of Selectmen. Kelton Muise is the sole contender for a three-year position as town assessor, and incumbents Julie Hagle and Gary Webber are running for two three-year terms on the school committee.

Voting will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at the town office. The annual town meeting will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Trenton Elementary School. The eighth grade will serve a dinner at noon.