TURNER — The town budget’s impact on taxes will depend on capital appropriations, and school and county taxes, Town Manger Kurt Schaub said Monday night.
Schaub told the Board of Selectmen that efforts were made to hold down expenses, and said there were no firm numbers to report. Capital requests were “still up for debate,” he said.
The SAD 52 school budget proposal will be presented at the Feb. 15 school board meeting, the result of which will affect final tax numbers for Turner, Leeds and Greene.
The Budget Committee will meet Thursday, Feb. 8, to begin work on their version of budget recommendations. Both versions will be presented to residents at the town meeting.
In other business, Schaub reported that the Turner Comprehensive Planning Committee held its first meeting Jan. 31 and elected Mike Gotto as chairman and Mary Briggs as co-chairwoman.
Schaub noted, “So far they are enthusiastic.” The group talked about the scope of their work, noting that this is a “review and revision” effort, and confirmed that the current plan has considerable relevance.
The members of the newly formed committee represent a cross-section of townspeople and their goal is to assist the town in pursuing the best options for long-term goals.
Nomination papers for the May 18 municipal election will be available beginning Feb. 7 at the Town Office.
Posts up for nomination include three Budget Committee positions for a term of three years each. Two are currently held by Ronald Harris and Rachel Pack, and one is vacant. Two three-year selectmen positions currently held by Kurt Youland and Kevin Nichols are also up for nomination, and two school board slots, currently held by Jo Anne Nickerson and Peter Ricker, also three-year terms.
Nomination papers must be completed and returned to the Town Office by March 19.
Schaub also reported that Susan Shaw was elected president of the Leavitt Institute board of directors and Jim Talbot was elected vice president at their annual meeting on Jan. 28. Jenny Maheu will serve as secretary/treasurer. The group discussed the condition of the building and will ask the town for $20,000 to add to its fund for anticipated maintenance costs.
The board voted unanimously to sell the maroon 2004 F-350 purchased in 2014. The truck, often referred to as “Cream Puff,” is no longer suitable for plowing and will be put up for bid.
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