TEMPLE — During the annual town meeting Monday, residents will consider authorizing a townwide property revaluation and forming a committee to create a plan for town roads.
They will also acknowledge the service of a retiring longtime selectman.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Monday, March 12, at the Town Hall.
Selectman George Blodgett, who like his father and his grandfather before him has served the town as selectman for many years, has decided to retire, Selectman Kathy Lynch said. Blodgett has served 21 years on the board and previously as chief of Temple Fire Department. Now it’s time for his grandchildren, she said.
Lynch will become first selectman, Selectman Austin Foss takes the second selectman’s seat and a newcomer, nominated and elected during the meeting Monday, will take the third selectmen’s seat, she said.
Voters will consider a total municipal budget of $481,197, an increase of $29,600 or 6 percent over last year, Budget Committee member Jo Josephson said.
Like many towns, the roads need attention, Lynch said. The Budget Committee suggested forming a committee to look at the situation and devise a plan. An article on the warrant asks for voters “to authorize selectmen to appoint a committee to prepare recommendations for a road rebuilding plan.”
The Budget Committee also suggested that now is the time to consider a town revaluation, Lynch said. Towns similar in size to Temple’s 500 people have spent about $50,000 on revaluations, she said.
Articles in the warrant ask voters to authorize selectmen to negotiate a contract with a professional assessing firm and to raise and appropriate $25,000 toward the first year’s fee.
Lynch expects some discussion about the Henry Mitchell bridge construction on the Intervale as the town looks to raise $31,200 for debt service on the new bridge. Construction was completed last fall.
The town was mandated by the state to undertake the bridge project, one of the most expensive the town had done at about $160,000, she said. State officials thought it was in danger of washing out and needed to be replaced.
“It’s a beautiful bridge now but still needs paving,” she said.
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