Abbot to consider $388,140 spending plan

By Bill Pearson
Staff Writer

    ABBOT — Residents who attended last year’s town meeting won’t be seeing many changes in this year’s warrant. The 47-article warrant which is set for a vote on Monday night calls for a mostly flat funding in most town accounts. The proposed budget is $45,730 lower than this year’s budget due to reductions in the winter road account — $26,000 — and rural road initiative account — $20,000.

    This results in the budget committee recommending using the same amount from taxation and approximately $45,000 less from the town’s undesignated fund. First Selectman Mickey Knowles indicated that the board and budget committee made a concerted effort not to increase the budget.
    “We tried to keep everything flat funded to balance the needs of the town and taxpayers,” he said.
    Residents will elect a selectman to a three-year. Incumbent John Libera has indicated he will run for another term. But residents will have to select somebody new to serve as a SAD 4 director. Pat Ladd’s term is up. Ladd has indicated to town officials that she won’t seek re-election. Residents will nominate all candidates from the floor and elect them during the town meeting.
    The only major change proposed is to see if the town will assume the Abbot Cemetery Corporation’s duties and responsibilities. The town would take over selling the lots and be responsible for perpetual care according to the corporation’s by-laws. Knowles indicated that the corporation board members want the town to takeover because the task has become too great for the all-volunteer board.
    Abbot will conduct their meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 18 in the municipal building.