After 10 years as a political watchdog, the Buxton Taxpayers Association is defunct.
Members voted 9-1 to disband Monday in its last meeting in the Pythian Sisters hall at Buxton Center. Ervin Colbath wanted the organization to continue and cast the dissenting vote in a show of hands.
“This is the time for these groups in the state, not just in Buxton,” Colbath said afterward.
A lack of participation prompted the decision to disband. The group has suffered a declining membership in recent years, and members were aging. A former president, Dennis Sweatt, said 70 was the average age of those at the final meeting.
The group’s president, JoAnn Groder, made the motion to dissolve. “I feel we might as well disband,” Groder said.
Sweatt said most of the group didn’t have necessary time. “Our town runs pretty reasonable,” Sweatt said, but added that citizen requests often fall on deaf ears of selectmen. “I might as well talk to that wall.”
He cited an example. After being contacted by Buxton residents, Sweatt recently asked selectmen to post roads, limiting the weight of big trucks traveling over town roads in the spring to prevent damage. Although Sweatt said neighboring communities like Gorham, Scarborough and Standish do post its local roads, he said Buxton selectmen weren’t interested.
Dan Collomy, chairman of selectmen, who attended the taxpayers’ meeting, said five town roads are posted, allowing only single-axle trucks. Collomy said Lary Owen, director of public works, has the authority by statute to close roads.
Sweatt felt selectmen should send the measure to voters to decide.
Colbath made a pitch to save the organization. “When the town is unresponsive to reasonable requests, someone needs to do something,” Colbath said.
Those present unanimously agreed to disburse its total of $667 from a checking account, scholarship fund and petty cash. Its allocations were $400 to scholarships; $100 to help needy buy heating fuel; $50 for a new flag for elderly housing; and $72 to the Pythian Sisters.
Sylvia Young, secretary-treasurer, reported that $35 would be required to file a corporation report with another $10 fee to disband.
“It balances our budget,” Sweatt said. “It wipes us out.”
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