Guilford residents approve $2.96M budget
GUILFORD — Residents approved a 2022-23 fiscal year budget totaling $2,959,744 at the annual town meeting at Piscataquis Community Elementary School on Monday evening.
The total to be raised through taxation is up by nearly $290,000 from the current year.
The municipal portion of the total budget is $1,653,194, an increase of nearly $325,000. The remainder of the near $2.96 million includes Guilford’s $1.1 million assessment for the SAD 4 budget, a little more than $206,000 in county tax, and $110,000 fire suppression fees (which is based on the number of hydrants a town owns and maintains with the money being revenue for the water district).
All 31 articles making up the 2022 annual town meeting warrant were passed as written by the 40-plus residents who attended, with only a few questions being asked during the night’s proceedings.
RECOGNITION OF SERVICE — Jeff Libby, who stepped down last month after eight years as fire chief in Guilford, was presented with a plaque from fellow firefighters during the annual town meeting at Piscataquis Community Elementary School on Monday evening. The fire department was also presented with a Legislative Sentiment recognizing its Spirit of America Foundation Award. Kent Burdin, who stepped down from the selectboard after 40 years, was recognized in absentia. He will be given his plaque at a later date.
Before residents voted to raise and appropriate $327,530 to be placed in nine different reserve accounts, a question wondered how far $2,500 would go toward fixing town sidewalks.
“This is what we’re raising to add to existing accounts,” Town Manager Johanna Turner said. She said the town has been awarded a grant to help address some of the sidewalks this year.
In her report in the annual town meeting, Turner wrote that in August Guilford was awarded a $280,000 grant through the Northern Border Regional Commission’s State Economic and Infrastructure Development Investment Program. Funds will be used to enhance existing green space, improve sidewalks, walking paths and signage to develop a walkable downtown. Monies will also go toward creating a Wi-Fi network.
When asked, Turner later gave an explanation for an article that authorizes the selectboard to use up to $5,000 from the undesignated fund balance to meet unanticipated expenses and emergencies. This can be done by the board without having to call a special town meeting.
More than a half dozen municipal positions were filled at town meeting. Incumbent Paul Zimmerman and Guy Dow were each elected to a three-year term on the selectboard.
Niki Fortier was reelected as one of Guilford’s representatives on the SAD 4 school board — she serves as board chairperson — for a three-year term.
Current Guilford Memorial Library trustee Dolores Curtis and new trustee Heidi Dow will both serve three years after being elected. The third position was not filled on Monday evening, and the selectboard can now appoint someone to the open trustee position.
Brad Deane was reelected to a three-year term on the Guilford-Sangerville Sanitary District Board of Trustees.
Residents also chose a six-person budget committee to look at the finances for 2023-24 and make recommendations on articles for the 2023 annual town meeting. The group is made up of Jim and Sherry French, Richard Hersey, Floyd Marsh, Joni Slamm and Brian Woodworth.