More than 50 turn out in New Vineyard

Bob Healy of New Vineyard casts his vote for selectman at Saturday's annual town meeting while town treasurer, Arlene Davis, looks on. Doug Withee defeated current selectman Lowell Dubay Jr. winning a three-year term by a vote of 31-21. (Laura Dunham photo) NEW VINEYARD — Longtime moderator Roger Lambert of Strong welcomed the more than 50 residents to Smith Hall on Saturday for the annual town meeting.

"More people turn out for this meeting than any other in Franklin County," Lambert said, adding, "We vote early and often... a tradition in New Vineyard."

This proved to very true as the some 60 voters took care of their 45 articles on the warrant in less than two hours.

Elected as road commissioner was Earl Luce Jr. Winning a seat on the MSAD #9 board of directors was Scott Webber. In a contest for a three-year term on the board of selectmen, Doug Withee defeated the present board member, Lowell Dubay Jr. by a vote of 31-21. Named to two-year terms on the planning board were Patty Knapp, John Cavanaugh and Richard Hargreaves.

This year, voters raised about $324,177 through taxation although this could change after a scheduled special town meeting in June.

Although the sum of $120,000 was finally approved for the snow plowing and sanding the town roads, it wasn't with out much discussion. Every one commended Nile Logging for the job well done this past year stating that the roads were the best in the county.

Fay Adams, chairman of the board said that bids on the snowplowing are expected to go out this year because Nile has indicated they no longer want to do the work. Nile, who was present at the meeting, said, "The money was not the problem but what is the problem is the turn-arounds on the roads where people leave their vehicles and put up mail boxes and make it impossible to turn their plows around. We had eight to ten vehicles towed away last year," said Nile, "and complaints day and night." "People are just uncooperative," said Adams. "We spent $146,000 this year in snowplowing and sanding and if Nile continues the con- tract it will most likely have to be increased from the $120,000."

Nile suggested that the town take the turn around portion of the roads by eminent domain and post those sections to help the problem of turning around the plows.

In other road concerns, Tom Wasco asked if the town would plow about four-tenths of a section of the Herrick Road where his family has owned property for the past 100 years and now he and his family want to rent one of their homes there. It was decided to take up Wasco's request at the special town meeting in June. It was estimated that this would cost about $3,000 a season and Wasco, who recently retired from the military, said the owners would be glad to help with the funding.

In other business, voters gave their approval to raise $18,000 for Operating Expenses for the town Fire Department, $5,000 for the town fire truck replacement fund and to raise the volunteer firemen's pay from $6 an hour to $10. Lisa Adams said that she was in the process of writing a grant for the fire department to obtain federal funds for a possible new fire truck, equipment and even a new fire house.

Other articles that passed included $1,139.11 for Sandy River Recycling, $1,500 for street lights, $1,500 for general assistance, $46,000 for summer roads, $3,000 for the town library, $6,000 for liquid calcium, $2,000 for brush cutting, $50 for appeals board, $1,000 for recreation, $3,000 for town office expenses, $1123.75 for the animal shelter, $500 for civil defense, $8,295 for NorthStar Ambulance, $86,877 for 18 months for the Franklin County Tax, $56,000 for town charges, $10,000 for Insurance, $3,000 for town office, $1,229 for Maine Municipal Association dues, $800 for legal fees $6,000 for maintenance on Smith Hall and $12,40.72 for AVCOG dues.

It was also approved to take $50,000 from surplus to reduce the 2009 tax commitment. The only article that received no funding was a request for $1540 from Community Concepts; the selectmen recommended no funding noting that if an organization wants funding it should be at the town meeting making its request and why it's needed.

Maine State Representative Tom Saviello and Senator Walter Gooley were on hand giving certificates of recognition to Francis and Frannie Bliss for their many years of dedication to the town. This year the town report was dedicated in the couple's honor. Also receiving recognition from the state officials was Fay Adams who celebrated her 75th birthday and for her many year of service to the town as a selectman.