Buxton voters last week returned Cliff Emery to the Board of Selectmen, approved a school budget and passed the municipal budget in town meeting, all without changing the tax rate.
In a light voter turnout on June 13, Emery, who served for the past year as chairman of the board , tallied 425 votes, handily defeating challengers Peter Burns with 275 and Dennis Santolucito, 57, for a three-year term.
Emery thanked voters for their support. “I’m happy,” Emery said. “I’ll continue to serve and make sure things go in a direction that most benefits the community.”
Emery was sworn in after the town meeting on Saturday. Selectman Dan Collomy was elected as chairman, succeeding Emery.
In the gubernatorial primary, Buxton Democrats chose Gov. John Baldacci 162-88 over challenger Christopher Miller.
Republicans in Buxton narrowly picked Peter Mills in a three-way race for their nomination for governor. Mills received 166 votes followed by Chandler Woodcock with 152 and Dave Emery, 97.
Charity Kewish defeated Peter Throumoulis 255-83 to become the Republican nominee for Maine Senate District 5.
For municipal posts, Barbara Elwell was elected to a two-year term on the planning board; David M. Anderson, a deputy town clerk, was elected to one of the two available seats for a three-year term on the planning board, leaving one vacancy; Corinne Linscott, a one-year term for one of three available seats on the budget committee, leaving two vacancies; Cynthia Santolucito, a three-year term, personnel review committee; Jon Greenier, David Hall, Lawrence Miller and Lee Pratt, three-year terms, budget committee; and Hall, a two-year term, budget committee. Hall will have to decide which of the two posts to accept.
Anderson, Greenier, Hall and Pratt were elected as write-in candidates.
Town budget nudges up
Voters attending the annual town meeting on Saturday, June 17, passed a nearly $4.6 million town budget, up from $4.1 million last year. Town Clerk John Myers said citizens approved the budget recommended by selectmen.
In other town meeting action, Myers said Curtis Farms Road of the Curtis Farms subdivision and Davis Road of the Daniels Estates were tabled. Those were the only two articles of 80 on the town meeting warrant that voters failed to approve.
Myers said 70 people attended town meeting, which convened at 9 a.m. and lasted only two hours. Myers said a group of budget articles were passed on one motion, which shortened the meeting.
SAD 6 budget passes
Buxton also passed all articles of the $37.2 million SAD 6 school budget on June 13. Buxton’s share of school costs will be $4.7 million, down $247,000 from a year ago. Also, the school budget passed in the districts’ other four towns – Frye Island, Hollis, Limington and Standish.
In secret balloting on June 13, Buxton incumbents Cynthia Hazelton and Sandra Plummer were reelected to three-year terms as SAD 6 directors.
Tax rate steady
Including $300,000 in taxes for York County along with the town and school, the total Buxton budget is $9.7 million with $6.5 million to be raised from property taxes. Town Clerk John Myers said Monday that the tax rate is expected to remain at $12.80.
Deputy Town Clerk Brenda Brown said that 805 people voted on June 13, accounting for 14 percent of active registered Buxton voters.
Cliff Emery defeated two challengers Tuesday to retain his seat on the Buxton Board of Selectmen.
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