BUCKFIELD — Voters at town meeting Saturday elected to use more of the town’s fund balance to offset the tax commitment, which Town Manager Cindy Dunn said should lower the tax rate.

Article 33 requested to use $161,160, as recommended by selectmen and the Budget Committee. A motion was made and seconded to use $210,000, which is an increase of $48,840. A total of 27 ballots were cast and the motion passed 14-13.

“It will reduce the mill rate, so it’s like a revenue, if you will,” Dunn said Tuesday. “To what level, I do not know. I haven’t done the math yet.”

This reduces the fiscal year 2017 municipal operating budget to $1.48 million from $1.69 million. Dunn originally projected the town’s mill rate to increase by 65 cents to $21.45 per $1,000 of assessed value, but now it will be lower.

The remaining 41 articles passed without discussion, Dunn said.

Voters approved $188,985 for administration; $117,480 for the Fire Department; $52,260 for fire hydrant rental; $191,710 for the Rescue Department; $19,390 for the Recreation Committee; $25,650 for the Municipal Center; $40,530 for the Zadoc Long Free Library; $31,905 for the Public Works Complex; $130,680 for debt service; $124,485 for Public Works equipment; $134,885 for winter roads; $383,120 for summer roads; $181,450 for Solid Waste. 

Thirty-four people showed up to the town meeting, including two nonresidents, Dunn said.

“It was a low turnout,” she said.

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