OWLS HEAD, Maine — Residents made quick work Monday evening of the annual town meeting agenda, electing a new selectman and a new school board representative, approving a $1.1 million budget and accepting a gift of land.
And the meeting was over in 40 minutes, according to Town Clerk Susan Wilson.
Tom VonMalder, a retired newspaper reporter and editor, was elected to a three-year seat on the Owls Head Board of Selectmen. He succeeded Richard Carver, who did not seek re-election. Carver has served on the board since first being elected in March 2005.
VonMalder was the sole candidate for the post.
Susan Allen Thomas also was elected as the town’s single representative on the Regional School Unit 13 Board. She succeeds Sally Carleton, who resigned earlier this month for unspecified personal reasons.
Thomas said she was born and married in Rockland before she and her husband moved out of state for 45 years. They returned six years ago and built their retirement home in Owls Head. She volunteers on the MCH Board of Trustees and is co-president of the Owls Head Garden Club.
The Owls Head woman said Tuesday she believes education is very important for the community and that the Rockland-area school district needs improvement.
She also ran unopposed. Owls Head nominates and elects its town officials from the floor during the town meeting.
The 48 residents who turned out for the meeting approved the 2015-2016 municipal budget of $1,117,018 as recommended by town officials. The budget amount represents about an 8 percent increase over last year’s budget, mostly to account for higher road maintenance costs.
Residents also accepted a donation by Todd Swinton of 10.6 acres of land. The property is located off North Shore Drive, but is connected to Lighthouse Road. Voters agreed to the condition that the property be kept undeveloped and preserved for public access to the water. The town also approved an easement to the Georges River Land, which will assure that those conditions are met. The property is to be used for low-impact, daytime recreation purposes.