PARIS — Townspeople approved a $4.13 million budget in 20 minutes at the annual town meeting Saturday.
About 60 residents attended the gathering at the fire station, and after initial commemorative speeches of gratitude, approved all 29 articles on the town warrant without changes.
This year’s budget is roughly $33,500 less than last year. Although the town’s share to the school district has risen, taxes are expected to remain flat.
“We worked tirelessly to meet the town’s needs without raising taxes,” Town Manager Amy Bernard said.
Taken with school and county spending, townspeople will raise a total of $7.1 million for 2014-15.
The meeting began with a tribute to outgoing Board of Selectmen Chairman Robert Kirchherr, who is running as a Democrat for House District 73 in the Maine Legislature.
Town Clerk Elizabeth Knox said Kirchherr was instrumental in authoring a number of policies during his tenure on the Planning Board and Board of Selectmen, and for hiring Bernard a year and a half ago.
Kirchherr, who was given a commemorative clock, thanked residents, saying serving had been an “enlightening and enjoyable experience.”
His seat will be filled by Janet Jamison, who along with incumbent Ryan Lorrain were elected to three-year terms on June 10.
The first motion from the floor, combining all but one of 29 articles, was overwhelmingly adopted. The Budget Committee and selectmen endorsed every article in the proposed budget.
Commentary on the motion was limited to questions on whether the town had any overdrafts — it didn’t — and a clarification of carryover policies.
The largest individual department spending includes $720,919 for the Highway Department; $694,500 in capital expenditures, including $525,000 in road reconstruction; $80,000 for a new plow truck; $12,500 for repairs to the Town Office; and $587,382 for the Police Department.
Voters also set aside $1,800 for a survey of the Cornwall Preserve to replace signs throughout the nature preserve. The 150-acre parcel features two miles of wooded trails.
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