MOUNT VERNON — Paul Crockett was elected to the select board Tuesday by 110 write-in votes after no one opted to take out nominating papers for the post being vacated by Malcolm Hardy, chairman of the board of selectmen.

In fact, Hardy received 24 write-in votes and Geoff Herman received 14, according to Town Clerk Rachel Meader.

Mount Vernon also opted 159-131 to validate the school budget.

Now registered voters will consider various expenditures in a proposed $1.02 million municipal budget Saturday at the business portion of the annual Town Meeting.

“Everything is flat funded,” Hardy said on Monday, and the rest balances out.

With road costs, for instance, summer maintenance is higher than last year, but the snow plow contract price is lower.

Much of the town budget is supported by almost $465,000 in revenues, more than half of which comes in the form of vehicle excise tax.

Municipal  expenses last year were just over $1.06 million, said Marti Gross, town treasurer, almost $38,000 higher than is projected for the upcoming year.

Voters will be asked whether to spend up to $28,500 on concrete work for the salt and sand shed.

“Last fall, we had to stop using the sand and salt shed because the roof collapsed,” Hardy said. “We just finished repairing the dome portion and are in the process of repairing walls.”

He said selectmen expected to get updated on repair costs before the Town Meeting.

Also on the town warrant are questions about adopting amendments to the Mount Vernon Land Use Ordinance relating to wind energy and personal wireless services. The proposed ordinances are listed on the town’s website, www.mtvernonme.org.

“Most people are supportive of the changes,” Hardy said, adding that the Ordinance Review Committee has been working all year on the articles and held public hearings.

Betty Adams — 621-5631
badams@centralmaine.com

 

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