Abbot passes $389,640 municipal budget

By Bill Pearson
Staff Writer

    ABBOT — Residents laid the Abbot Cemetery Corporation to rest on Monday night by voting to take responsibility for the private organization. The 36 residents attending the annual town meeting approved assuming the corporation’s responsibilities and money that accrues through lot sales and perpetual care. The corporation’s board of directors requested the town assume their duties because the task had become too great for the all-volunteer board.

Observer photo/Bill Pearson 

    TOWN MEETING — First Selectman Mickey Knowles, left, discusses a proposal on Monday night about the town assuming the Abbot Cemetery Corporation’s duties as Third Selectman John Libera looks on. The town approved the proposal as well as 46 other articles on the warrant. Residents approved the $389,640 municipal budget during the annual town meeting. Libera was also elected to a three-year term.

    The town taking over the corporation’s duties was one of 47 articles approved by voters during a one hour and 45 minute meeting held in the municipal building. Residents approved the $389,640 plan which is $44,230 lower than this year’s. The 2013 town budget calls for mostly flat funding in most town accounts.
    First Selectman Mickey Knowles indicated that the town was able to reduce spending due to due to reductions in the winter road account — $26,000 — and rural road initiative account — $20,000.
    Residents voted to fund four local non-profit groups. The voters appropriated $500 for the Eastern Area on Aging, $250 for the Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross and $250 for Penquis and $500 for the J.D. Foundation
    Residents decided to not appropriate money for Community Health and Counseling or Womancare Aegis. The budget committee made no recommendations on whether to fund any of the non-profit requests.
    In the municipal elections, John Libera won re-election to the board of selectmen for a three-year term. Kasey Knowles won a seat on the SAD 4 board of directors for a three-year term.
    Residents also re-elected Lorraine Leeman to a one-year terms as town clerk and tax collector. Heather Weymouth-Pomerleau was also re-elected as the town treasurer.