Town meetings

Monson

Town officials have presented a 2007-08 proposed budget that provides for the town’s needs yet requires less funding for municipal services than the current spending plan.

Despite a jump in fixed costs, including health insurance by 8 percent, Town Manager Julie Anderson and selectmen have proposed a municipal budget of $692,478, which reflects a decrease of $118.

Residents last year approved $36,000 for a revaluation of town properties, which increased the 2006-07 budget, according to Anderson.

The proposed budget reflects an increase in the town’s revenue for fire protection and solid waste disposal services for the Unorganized Territories of Elliotsville and Blanchard. Piscataquis County commissioners, through the Unorganized Territories budget, will pay the town $19,440 for fire protection coverage, up from $14,000 in the previous contract. Solid waste costs for the two territories increased from $12,000 to $13,000, Anderson said.

A Community Development Block Grant of $154,500 awarded to the town for a new drainage system on North Guilford Road will need voter acceptance. The grant will require the town to borrow $52,000 as a local match, Anderson said.

Residents will elect one resident each to the Board of Selectmen, gym committee and Monson Utilities District Board. The elections also will include three terms on the appeals board and two terms on the planning board.

The annual town meeting will be at 6 p.m. Monday, March 26, at Monson Elementary School.

Charleston

Residents at the annual town meeting Saturday defeated a proposed barking-dog ordinance that would have carried financial penalties.

Residents had submitted a petition to adopt an ordinance to deal with dogs that disturb the peace.

Some of the approximately 75 people in attendance believed the petition was too vague, according to Terri-Lynn Hall, who was re-elected Saturday as selectman.

Another reason for its defeat was its enforcement. Hall said the district attorney does not prosecute alleged violations of municipal ordinances so the town would have to hire an attorney to handle such matters.

Among the warrant articles which were approved as proposed was $16,830 for a new boiler at the town office, which is the former elementary school, according to Hall.

Residents elected the Board of Selectmen as assessors and overseers of the poor. They also elected Kevin Strout to the budget committee, Steve Weinstein as fire chief, and B.J. Higgins as road commissioner.