By Dennis Hoey, Staff Writer
Portland Press Herald (Maine)
Copyright 2007 Blethen Maine Newspapers, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
PHIPPSBURG, Maine — Voters at town meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings rejected a proposal to allow the town to charge a fee for ambulance services and approved a spending package that probably will slightly increase the property tax rate.
Residents also rejected a request to fund a fireworks show.
Selectman Laurence Pye said the ambulance fee proved to be the most controversial article because some people felt ''low-income people would simply not use the service if they were forced to pay.’' The proposal was narrowly defeated with a difference of eight votes, Pye said.
Voters approved a $1.5 million municipal budget and a $3.2 million education budget, which Pye said would raise the tax rate from $10.90 per $1,000 valuation to about $11.30.
They turned down a request from the Popham Beach Improvement Association for $2,500 to help fund fireworks in conjunction with Popham’s 400th anniversary celebration, Pye said.