Copyright 2006 Bangor Daily News
By LEANNE M. ROBICHEAU
Bangor Daily News (Maine)
UNION, Maine — Besides voting on a controversial merger of the fire and ambulance departments June 13, voters will cast ballots on several elective positions.
The polls are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 13.
The annual town meeting will follow several days later at 7 p.m. Monday, June 19, at which residents will decide a $1,584,785 gross municipal budget, which is up 5.8 percent, according to Town Manager Andrew Hart.
The amount of the municipal budget to be raised by property taxes is $894,861, up 12 percent over last year, Hart said, explaining that the budget includes a $25,000 reserve for a Public Works truck and increases in insurance, electricity and heating costs.
The Knox County assessment is $173,418, up 4.4 percent. A separate county dispatch fee is $35,750. The town’s share of SAD 40 costs is $1,565,533, which is down less than 1 percent.
The current tax rate is $13.20 per $1,000 of assessed value, Hart said, but he does not yet know what effect the budget will have on the rate because valuation figures are not final.
Hart did not know how much revenue will be used to reduce property taxes.
In the 2006-07 budget is a 4 percent pay increase for town employees.
The town manager’s salary would rise to $58,027, which is a 4.5 percent increase.
There are no major capital purchases in the budget or new employee positions.
A separate warrant article at town meeting will seek $20,000 to $25,000 for a veterans monument at the common.
At the polls, voters will cast ballots on a referendum question seeking to establish an ordinance to consolidate the town’s fire and ambulance departments, which would be overseen by one fire-rescue chief, who is appointed by and responsible to the town manager.
After a study conducted by a hired consultant, town officials suggested merging the two departments to improve efficiency, eliminate duplication and increase community support. Some residents were upset that the study was done without consulting community members.
On the ballot is one three-year selectman seat with two candidates - incumbent Dwayne Noyes and newcomer John Gibbons. One two-year selectman seat has incumbent Brian Cramer, William Packard III and Tracy Weed competing.
One three-year SAD 40 director’s slot has incumbent George Reule vying against Philip Groce. Treasurer Linda McAllister is unopposed for a one-year term.
For a complete viewing of the town meeting warrant, go to the town’s new Web site at www.union.govoffice2.com.