LIVERMORE FALLS — Voters on Tuesday decided the outcome of 37 warrant articles, rejecting the largest spending requests, and decided races for selectman and the RSU 73 Board of Directors.
The rejected budget items will require the town to craft a new budget and go back to voters for approval.
The largest expenditure considered as part of the $2.37 million budget was $429,528 for the police department, which voters turned down 151-161. Voters also rejected the following articles:
-$388,355 for insurances (111-210)
-$348,900 for public works (121-187)
-$213,080 for administration (97-209)
-$47,960 for capital improvements (111-212)
-$38,350 for elected officials (110-209)
-$8,970 for general assistance (132-191)
Residents approved $95,470 for the fire department, $114,750 for municipal solid waste, $120,000 for street paving, $81,159 for buildings, $65,098 for the Treat Memorial Library, $270,308 for contractual, and $26,980 for recreation.
Town Manager Kristal Flagg, when asked about her reaction to the vote, responded, “discouraging.” She said she thought people voted the way they did based on “negative remarks, signs and ads and fictitious figures based on rumors, not facts. The town’s budget is up $7,378.00 from last year, not $70,000.”
An article passed that will allow the town to run on last year’s figures until a new budget can be approved. Flagg said that selectmen will set a special town meeting date in the future to vote on the failed articles.
Residents elected two new selectmen. George Cummings defeated Heather Bronish 196-177 to earn a three-year term on the board, while Tom Barker defeated Susan Metzger 162-153 for a two-year term.
The two new selectboard members will replace outgoing selectmen James Collins and Mary Young. Both of them chose not to run for another term.
In the Republican Register of Probate race, Joanna Said of Livermore received 73 votes to 11 for Leslie Dubois of Lewiston. She will face Democrat Ira Bittues, who was running unopposed, in the Nov. 8 election.
Voters also re-elected Tammy Frost to a three-year term on the RSU 73 Board of Directors. She was running unopposed.
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