NEWPORT—Voters at Saturday’s annual town meeting approved funding for a full time fire fighter and to run the new cultural center.

The total municipal budget of nearly $2.3 million represents a 5.4 increase over last year, said Town Manager James Ricker.

All of the articles passed as written, except for three related to a salt shed that failed at selectmen’s urging, during a town meeting that only lasted about two hours.

Voters agreed to repeal timber harvesting regulations within the shoreland zoneand to allow campgrounds in all commercial zones with planning board approval.

The approved municipal budget includes $107,000 for the fire department. The extra $17,000 over last year will pay to switch a part-time fire fighter’s position to full time.

Funding for the Newport Cultural Center, which is scheduled to open this year, jumped from $17,000 to $69,000.

In Friday’s voting residents approved the water district’s bid to increase the debt service limit from $3.5 million to $8 million.

Voters elected Richard Clark over Carl Smith III for the board of selectmen by a 99-95 margin.

Roger Carr and Timothy York were elected to the School Administrative District 48 board of directors, Alan Campbell will serve as trustee of the water district and Vernard Palmer is a trustee of the sanitary district.

E-mail this entry to a friend