NEWRY — Voters will see a slightly higher budget figure on the warrant for Monday night’s annual town meeting.

It begins at 7 p.m. March 5 in the Bear River Grange Hall.

The proposed municipal budget of $833,862 is $2,221 more than last year’s $831,641. The numbers don’t reflect the school and county tax assessments, which come later in the year.

“That’s up a little bit from last year (from) insurance and raises,” Town Administrator Loretta Powers said. “And we are taking $75,000 out of surplus to lower taxes and $100,000 from surplus to the Capital Improvements account.”

That will reduce surplus to almost $800,000, she said.

The 35-article warrant contains nothing contentious, such as bridge or road projects requiring large expenditures. For the past three years, Newry has raised money and approved a bridge project each year.

“We’re pretty mild this year,” Powers said Tuesday. “We’re not doing any bridges, so we’re good there.”

Of some of the warrant articles, selectmen recommend:

* $245,462 for Administration and Salaries accounts, up $6,574 from last year’s $238,888.

* $128,488 for sanitation, down $6,120 from last year’s $134,608.

* $19,300 for the Municipal Building account, up $4,840 from last year’s $14,460.

* $61,660 for the ladder truck payment, down $4,027 from last year’s $65,687.

* $139,000 for the Highways account, up $3,500 from last year’s $135,500.

Powers said she hopes voters will OK replacing the town office carpeting, “because this carpet has been in here for a very long time.”

For municipal elections, which are done from the floor, Selectman Jim Largess is seeking re-election to a fourth straight term.

Preceding town meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Grange, the traditional potluck supper will be held.

In other business, the new town reports are at the town office now. Included this year is a photocopied Newry annual town report for the year ending Feb. 16, 1899.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

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