FARMINGTON — More than 100 voters turned out to decide the town’s business Monday night during the annual town meeting.
They moved swiftly through items supporting town departments only reducing the police department’s request for $1,198,677 to the selectmen’s recommended $1,148,677.
While the department sought $75,000 in its budget this year to build a garage to go with the newly renovated police station, selectmen recommended spreading the funding over three years, raising $25,000 per year. Voters agreed.
Once the articles moved to outside agencies, opinions differed. Some selectmen and voters, while supporting charitable organizations, didn’t feel everyone should have to pay for these through their taxes, especially if they didn’t support the organization.
Following much discussion, voters agreed to fund $2,000 requested by the American Red Cross, $5,000 requested by Safe Voices, but voted down a request for $2,500 for the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.
abryant@sunjournal.com
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- Jane Morrison, of Safe Voices, defends the organization’s request for $5,000 in funding Monday during Farmington’s annual town meeting held at the Community Center. After a lengthy discussion and split vote, the majority agreed to fund this and some other outside agencies.
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- Galen Dalrymple speaks in favor of funding $2,000 for the American Red Cross at Monday’s annual town meeting in Farmington. Dalrymple told the more than 100 voters present about how the Red Cross helped him get home from his military service when a parent died.
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- Budget Committee member Michael Deschenes, center, answers a question during Monday night’s Farmington annual town meeting held at the Community Center. Committee members, from left, are Clyde Ross, Dennis O’Neil, Deschenes, Joshua Bell and Fred O. Smith.
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