CHAPMAN, Maine — Residents gathered at the Chapman Ridge Runners’ clubhouse on March 23 for the annual town meeting, but unlike meetings of the past, this year’s gathering also kicked off a year of celebrating to mark the community’s 100th birthday.
The evening started off with Jon Frederick, manager of the tri-community region of Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman, discussing the budget process and the opportunities residents have to participate at all levels of the process, from school to municipal budgets. He indicated the majority of the Chapman tax bill goes toward the school budget.
The towns of Mapleton and Castle Hill first began sharing municipal services in 1947 when the two towns approved sharing one town manager. Chapman joined them in 1974.
Chapman’s municipal portion of the tri-community budget for 2015 is $360,997. Frederick said the overall budget wouldn’t be known until the school, county and state completed their respective budgets.
Those in attendance were part of an historic change to the town’s government as they voted to increase the three-member Board of Selectmen to five members. Two current board members were not up for election this year, but residents re-elected Milford Maynard to a three-year term as selectman-assessor. Residents also elected Timothy Scott as selectman for a three-year term and Charles Beaulieu Jr. as selectman for a two-year term.
Frederick said the additional two positions will enable the community to be better represented in years to come.
Voters approved the remainder of the warrant articles with only minor discussion.
One item opens the door for residents to participate in Efficiency Maines‘ Property Assessed Clean Energy program.
“This involves any processes that make a home more energy efficient,” Frederick explained.
Residents also approved a land use ordinance modeled after one in place in Mapleton.
The evening came to a close on a happy note, as Selectwoman Pat Sutherland shared some details about Chapman’s centennial celebration plans.
“I’m so pleased we’ve featured our centennial in the town report. It honors all the people who’ve served the community,” said Sutherland, whose grandfather, Joseph Beaulieu; brother, Charles Beaulieu Sr.; and now nephew, Charles Jr., have served as selectmen for Chapman.
“You’ll see names of people who’ve been here for years and all those who’ve moved into town” since its inception, she said.
She credited select people, past and present, for “ bringing us where we are tonight,” noting the addition of two people to the board.
Summer is looking to be an eventful one for the residents of Chapman, according to Sutherland.
“We’ve been asked to serve as lead float/grand marshal of the Mapleton Daze Parade, so we’ll have a presence in the parade,” she said.
“Come mid-July — July 16 — we’ll have free food at the Chapman Ridge Runners, including hotdogs and hamburgers. That will be a Thursday evening, so it shouldn’t impact people with weekend plans. We’ll also have cake and ice cream,” Sutherland said, noting plans are to recognize various people during this event. “We want to recognize the youngest and oldest citizens and others, so pass the word around.”
Sutherland ended by noting she’s the first woman to serve the community of Chapman but hopes she won’t be the last.
“It took [almost] 100 years in this town before a woman was elected to the Select Board. I hope it doesn’t take 100 years for the next one” to be elected, Sutherland said.
Chapman was incorporated March 11, 1915. For more information on Chapman, visit mapleton.me.