KINGFIELD — Voters at the annual town meeting Saturday decided not to allow adult recreational marijuana establishments in town. The vote was 75-42.
The majority of the 129 voters at Kingfield Elementary School indicated their opposition to allowing any retail marijuana establishments in the northern Franklin County town..
The decision does not include licensed medical marijuana caregivers’ businesses, which are licensed by the state.
In election balloting, Morgan Dunham defeated Ronk Beedy, 84-45, to fill the seat vacated by Selectman Brian Hatfield.
Kim Robinson and Bill Swain were nominated from the floor for an open Regional School Unit 58 seat. Robinson had served for the past year on the school board, and although she said she hadn’t planned to run for reelection, she agreed on Saturday to serve three years. She defeated Swain, 92-37.
The $1 million budget is $48,177 more than last year, according to Administrative Assistant Leanna Targett.
Voters agreed to give $6,000 to Maine’s High Peaks organization, which is dedicated to economic development in western Maine. The money will come from the Tax Increment Financing revenue, which is part of a 30-year tax revenue sheltering agreement with Poland Spring Water Co.
Although selectmen recommended $2,500 for the United Methodist Economic Ministry, and the Budget Committee recommended $3,500, voters approved the organization’s $5,000 request.
Approval for other TIF revenue allocations include $10,000 for the Highway Sidewalk Equipment Account and $25,000 for the Kingfield wastewater system operating budget.
Voters also approved $14,200 to fund the library, historical society, holiday lights, flags, summer planters and Safe Voices’ domestic violence prevention program.
They also approved funding for the Fire Department, the Public Works Department and $30,000 for the new Highway Equipment Account. Revisions to the 2009 Shoreland Zoning Ordinance passed easily, which brings the town’s ordinance in line with the state’s 2018 ordinance.
Rep. Tom Skolfield, R-Weld, presented Diane Christen with Maine’s Spirit of America Foundation award for her many years of volunteer service to the Kingfield community. The nonprofit agency accepts nominations and awards tributes each year to more than 100 local individuals, organizations and projects for outstanding community efforts.
Rep. Tom Skolfield, R-Weld, presents Diane Christen with Maine’s Spirit of America Foundation award for her many years of volunteer service to the Kingfield community. Voters at the annual town meeting Saturday gave Christen a standing ovation. (Valerie Tucker photo)
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