BUCKFIELD — Buckfield voters approved a $1.8 million municipal budget during the annual town meeting June 16.

Town Clerk and Treasurer Cindy Dunn said voters approved all but four articles, which resulted in a municipal budget that was $16,335 less than originally proposed by the Board of Selectmen.

Article 7 asked if residents wanted to raise funds to establish a new position within the Fire Department. Dunn said residents voted to raise $0 instead for the proposal instead of the recommended $40,835.

Residents also voted to raise $5,000, instead of the recommended $500, on Article 33, which asked if they wanted to raise money through taxation for the Old Church on the Hill account.

Near the end of the meeting, residents voted to appropriate $150,000, rather than the recommended $130,000, for Article 38, which asked residents to appropriate money from the fund balance to reduce the 2018-19 appropriations budget.

Given the differences between the residents’ vote and the proposed budget, residents had to vote to permanently increase the tax levy limit by $17,156.

Dunn said that in voting June 12, Dona Grant defeated incumbent Maida DeMers-Dobson 273-116 for a three-year term on the Board of Selectmen.

Grant also defeated DeMers-Dobson 271-117 for a seat on the Board of Assessors.

mdaigle@sunmediagroup.net