During the brief annual town meeting on Saturday, Standish residents voted on articles ranging from general administration expenses to costs for law enforcement.
William Dale, the usual moderator for town meetings, was chosen by those residents present to preside over the meeting.
The overall town budget is $13.61 million, a decrease of 2.3 percent from last year’s budget, although the gross municipal budget went up 2 percent. With no new programs or additions to the staff, there has been a steady continuation of the budget since last year, according to Town Manager Gordon Billington.
The majority of residents at the meeting voted in favor to increase the property tax levy limit, that of $1.72 million, in case the budget approved on Saturday resulted in an increased tax commitment.
In addition, four articles put to a vote, which dealt with issues of surpluses, reserve accounts and “federal, state or private grants or gifts,” were lumped together and approved by the town.
Town Councilor Dolores Lymburner made a motion to increase the amount of $100,000 in surplus funds before the residents voted to approve the packaged articles. The proposed increase was defeated when it was put to a vote.
“I just wanted an increase to offset property taxes,” she said after the meeting.
Among the biggest expenses approved on Saturday were for public safety projects, costing $813,778, public works at $866,639, $633,369 for the management solid waste, and $681,800 to pay for capital expenses.
Those who were recently elected to the town council on June 13-Louis Stack, Margaret Spencer and Carolyn Biegel-were not sworn in until the proceeding special town meeting and therefore voted as citizens on the articles presented to the town.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
