CANAAN — Voters scrutinized both the salaries of certain town officials and the manner in which roads are repaired, but gave approval to related articles on Saturday’s annual town meeting warrant.
As usual, the Canaan Elementary School cafeteria was packed for the meeting. It was a prelude to Monday’s municipal elections, during which Ray Judkins will challenge Ray Small for road commissioner. Judkins also is running for a seat on the Board of Selectmen, which the town maintains is contrary to advice from the Maine Municipal Association.
Residents rejected a Judkins amendment to article 16. The Road Committee recommended $175,000 for road improvement, and Judkins wanted the money to come from the general fund, instead of taxation. The original request then passed.
Judkins also questioned the overage in the $124,000 request for winter road maintenance.
He pointed out that the town had quoted an overdraft of $1,200 compared to the auditor’s $18,000, and asked for an explanation. Town Clerk Barbara Geaghan responded that the auditor was not there to answer that question.
“That’s not an answer,” Judkins said.
“Yes, that’s an answer,” moderator Larry Ross answered. “It’s just not the answer you wanted.”
Following earlier debate, voters approved a raise for Barbara Geaghan, who serves as town clerk and excise tax collector.

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