KINGFIELD — Voters Saturday will be asked to elect selectmen and a school board member and to approve the 2016-17 town budget.
The meeting will start at 9 a.m. at Kingfield Elementary School.
Incumbents Heather Moody and Ray Meldrum are running for three-year Board of Selectmen terms without opposition.
Regional School Unit 58 Director Beth Luce declined to run for a second term. Retired district teacher Peter Manning and University of Maine at Farmington administrator Johanna Prince are vying for the seat.
The proposed 43-article warrant presents a nearly flat-funded $1.08 million budget. The town will use $174,300 from Nestlé Waters tax-increment financing revenues to offset the tax burden for residents.
Selectmen recommend $839,110 to be raised and appropriated by taxpayers.
The Budget Committee recommends $834,910.
The two groups of municipal officials have met to determine their individual spending suggestions, and voters can choose either recommendation.
One controversial warrant article asks voters to authorize borrowing up to $350,000 to build a village cultural center. The loan could be paid by TIF revenues over a 10-year period. The money would be used to enhance the section in front of the Schoolhouse Gallery and Skowhegan Savings Bank.
The completed renovation would include additional parking, a green space, benches and amenities that will encourage both travelers and townspeople to stay, explore and gather in the downtown area. At a maximum interest rate of 3 percent, the $350,000 loan and the $55,555 interest would total $405,555 over the 10 years.
A related article asks voters to appropriate up to $100,000 from TIF revenues to be applied to part of the cost of the engineering and construction of this development.
The Village Cultural Center is one of several potential projects proposed by the Village Enhancement Committee to create a pedestrian-friendly downtown center and village green. Other plans include sidewalk improvements, safer crosswalks, tree plantings, decorative lighting, new and improved signs and related amenities.
Other projects proposed by the Village Enhancement Committee include:
• A Riverfront Park along the Carrabassett River, with walkways, picnic areas, a deck, fishing access and a historic grist mill exhibit.
• A Kingfield Family Park, connected to walking trails in a nearby area.
• Historic walking loops, highlighting the historic buildings and people of the town.
• Turning the Knapp Property into a community center, possibly including a fitness or rehabilitation center, space for senior housing or expansion of the library.
• Expanding the existing town-owned park behind Webster Hall to add a sheltered space and other improvements.
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