Town meetings

Hartland

The town meeting is set for Saturday, March 1, at the Town Hall. Elections will be held the day before, Friday, Feb. 29, also at the Town Hall.

Morgan said the only contested position is for the third selectman’s seat, left vacant by the death of Harlow Powers. Mike Gould and Mike Brown are vying for that seat.

Town Manager Peggy Morgan said the budget of $815,000 was a reduction of $58,000 from 2007, due to planning for a likely increase in school payments.

“We have no large purchases, nothing unexpected,” she said. “If we have to wait [for major purchases], we’ve got to wait. This budget is simply business as usual.”

St. Albans

The town meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, March 1, at the Town Hall. Elections will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 29, also at the Town Hall.

Among the issues: a race between Peter Denbow, the incumbent, and William Keating for a three-year seat on the Board of Selectmen. No other positions are being challenged.

Most of the warrant articles reflect small increases due to increased fuel costs, salaries and benefits or rising equipment costs.

Articles of interest include a $5,000 appropriation for a town manager search. Larry Post, who has held the position for 30 years, is retiring in June.

Solon

The town meeting is set for 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 1, at Solon Elementary School. The polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., according to Elaine Aloes, chairman of the Solon selectmen. There will be a pot-luck dinner provided by the Solon 4-H at 11:30 a.m., also at the school.

There is but a single race, that for a three-year selectmen’s seat between Daniel Keegan, the incumbent, and Sarah Davis.

Aloes said the 2008 selectmen’s and budget committee’s recommended budgets are both under the state mandated cap by $9,600 and $4,300 respectively. However, due to the high cost of snow removal this winter, Aloes said, there is a request for an additional $4,000 increase in the winter roads budget.

Aloes said articles of interest include a request to borrow funds to purchase a new Public Works Department truck. A new truck and dump body and to refurbish the plow will cost $100,000 and be funded through reserve accounts, special accounts and a loan. For a five-year loan, Aloes said the yearly payments would be about $13,700.

Another article, not recommended by either the board or the budget committee, is a citizen’s request to breach a section of the Fall Brook Dam so fish can pass upstream.

Wellington

A proposed municipal budget of $334,787 that reflects about a $12,000 increase will be decided by residents at the annual town meeting.

The town meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 8, in the Municipal Building.

While selectmen have proposed a budget of $334,787, the budget committee has proposed $333,233. The latter proposal includes less funds for the fire department and winter roads.

First selectman Marc Pomerleau said a brief discussion will be held prior to the town meeting to update residents on the financial status. “The town is in good shape,” he emphasized.

The budget committee has recommended a three-year winter road maintenance contract with a 2.5 percent increase each year, while selectmen have proposed a 5 percent increase each year.

Residents also will act on a proposal to equip the town office with a computer program that is now used in most municipal offices in the state.