CHESTERVILLE — Voters on Aug. 3 will be able to cast their ballots for the Regional School Unit 9 budget referendum validation vote from noon until 8 p.m. rather 6 p.m. as had been previously announced.
By state law, the polls have to be open a minimum of four hours for the validation vote.
Chesterville Town Clerk Pamela Griswold had set noon to 6 p.m. as the voting hours. She sent those times to RSU 9 staff without input from the selectmen.
On July 6, selectmen asked that the time be extended to 8 p.m. to give residents who work more time to get to the polls. Griswold was later informed that there wasn’t time to do so as the warrants for the vote had to be posted 14 days prior to the July 25 RSU 9 budget meeting.
RSU 9 superintendent Tom Ward had indicated a willingness to work with the town in order to change the voting hours. He suggested the town’s attorney be contacted. Maine Municipal Association staff told Chesterville officials RSU 9 wasn’t obligated to change the voting times.
Ward contacted the district’s attorney, who suggested Ward email the school board directors to see if they supported Chesterville extending the voting hours.
In an email to Selectman Vice Chairwoman Tiffany Estabrook, Ward said, “The board is approving the town (of Chesterville) to simply change the time on the posted warrant.”
Voters in each of the district’s 10 sending towns will be casting ballots Thursday, Aug. 3, on a proposed $33.9 million budget for the local school district. In June, voters said no to a $33.89 million budget proposal.
The new budget includes an additional $729,954 in state funding. Half of that amount will go toward reducing tax assessments.
pharnden@sunmediagroup.net
CHESTERVILLE – Voters on Thursday, August 3, will be able to cast their ballots for the Regional School Unit 9 budget referendum validation vote from noon until 8 p.m. rather 6 p.m. as had been previously announced.
On August 3 voters will be asked to approve, by a yes or no vote, the $33.9 million budget for the local school district. In June, voters said no to a $33.89 budget proposal. The new budget includes an additional $729,954 in state funding. Half of that amount will go towards reducing tax assessments.
By state law the polls have to be open a minimum of four hours for the validation vote. Chesterville Town Clerk Pamela Griswold had set noon to 6 p.m. as the voting hours. She sent those times to RSU 9 staff without input from the selectmen.
On July 6, selectmen asked that the time be extended to 8 p.m. to give residents who work more time to get to the polls. Griswold was later informed that there wasn’t time to do so as the warrants for the vote had to be posted fourteen days prior to the July 25 RSU 9 budget meeting.
RSU 9 superintendent Tom Ward had indicated a willingness to work with the town in order to change the voting hours. He suggested the town’s attorney be contacted. Maine Municipal Association staff told Chesterville officials RSU 9 wasn’t obligated to change the voting times.
Ward contacted the district’s attorney, who suggested Ward email the school board directors to see if they supported Chesterville extending the voting hours.
In an email to Selectman Vice Chairman Tiffany Estabrook Ward said, “The board is approving the Town (of Chesterville) to simply change the time on the posted warrant.”
Voters in each of the district’s ten sending towns will be casting ballots, Thursday, August 3rd, on the proposed budget.
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