Princeton

Voters at the annual town meeting wrestled Thursday night with local issues for more than three hours before they approved most of the proposed budget.

They overwhelmingly rejected, however, the effort to start a weekend police department by a vote of 59-4.

Even though they voted not to fund weekend police coverage, voters still will have to shell out a few more dollars for the 2002-03 municipal and school budgets.

Property taxes on a $50,000 home will be about $150 more than last year. Town officials said it could be less once they have a complete valuation and an accurate account of state revenues.

If voters had approved the weekend police coverage, it would have cost $16,000 and increased property taxes on the same $50,000 property nearly $35 more.

First Selectman Greg Monk said after the meeting that there had been a lively discussion on the police issue.

A rash of break-ins recently prompted town business owners to ask selectmen to place the matter before voters. Town officials conferred with the Baileyville Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department about the cost for three eight-hour weekend shifts.

Voters did approve $3,000 to paint the fire station by a vote of 43-4. Monk said there was a discussion about donating the paint and having the volunteer firefighters paint the building, but voters then decided to cover the cost.

Voters by a vote of 43-4 also approved an article making the tax collector an appointed, rather then an elected, office.

– Compiled by Diana Graettinger