Caswell

The proposed budget to operate the town of Caswell is up about $10,000 over last year.

Selectman Larry Zenzius said Wednesday that budget totals this year were higher for administrative expenses, snow removal and highway equipment and repairs.

The annual town meeting and elections will start at 7 p.m. Friday, March 28, at the Dawn Barnes Elementary School.

Voters from the community of 306 people will elect a selectman and school board member to three-year terms and a clerk and a treasurer to one-year terms.

Hamlin

Residents will meet at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Roosevelt School to conduct annual business and elections.

They will elect a selectman to a three-year term, a town clerk for one year and a secretary-treasurer for one year.

Selectman Rodolph Parent, said costs for fire protection and ambulance service, both provided by Van Buren, were the largest items in the proposed budget. County taxes were expected to be more than the $14,343 required last year.

The town, with a population of 254 people, raised $176,000 in taxes last year, with the bulk of that money coming from farmers and Irving Corp. which owns a wood lot. A total of $152,000 was spent on education.

The tax rate was $16 per $1,000 in property valuation.

Island Falls

A $12,000 savings in the local ambulance service highlights the proposed municipal budget that voters will decide at the annual town meeting on Monday, March 10.

The reduction was due to revenues for advanced skills training and lower pay schedule to emergency medical technicians.

Polls will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the municipal building, followed by a 7 p.m. business meeting.

Incumbent Albert Clukey is being challenged by Laura Campbell and Richard Martin for a three-year term on the Board of Selectmen.

Joan Mitchell and Crystal Sirois are competing for the three-year term on the school board.

The budget reduction will lower the municipal government portion of the total tax bill. The tax rate set last year is $22.60 per $1,000 in property valuation.

“The decrease is welcome,” said Cheryl McNally, town agent. “Even with the increases we have had to the tax base the last few years, we don’t know what the schools will require.

“Even with the school increases we have had every year, we hope to maintain the tax rate.”

The town recently has picked up significant tax revenues with the new construction and other work undertaken by property owners at Pleasant and Mattawamkeag lakes.

Some residents in the town of 793 people have been affected by the shutdown of Great Northern Paper plants in East Millinocket and Millinocket.

– Compiled by Gloria Flannery.