SOUTH THOMASTON, Maine — Residents will be asked to spend less money for town services when they gather for the annual town meeting next month.
Residents also will get to choose between Carolyn Neagle and Walter Reitz, who have both turned in nomination papers, for one available seat on the three-member Board of Selectmen. Incumbent Dorothy Meriwether is not seeking re-election.
The proposed 2016 municipal budget is $1,125,000, down about $35,000 from what residents approved at the 2015 town meeting.
One of the most significant declines in the proposed budget is the money set aside for paving. Last year, residents approved spending $102,000 for paving, while this year the amount was reduced to $48,000. The general government budget is the largest at $292,000, down about $2,000. The public works budget is proposed at $208,000, down about $39,000. The ambulance budget is proposed to increase $3,000 to $114,000 and the fire department budget is proposed to drop $12,000 to $90,000.
The annual town meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, at the Gilford Butler School.