INDUSTRY - A smaller than usual turnout at Saturday's town meeting
discussed, among other things, the progress of a new road improvement
program and plans to replace an aging plow truck that is now retired.

After just over an hour, all articles were passed and about $397,000 was
raised for municipal spending. That is about $25,500 more than 2007.

There were no comments on requests to increase the three selectmen's
salaries by $1,500 apiece-- the first raise in 12 years. Nor was there
discussion on the request to increase the pay for both the treasurer and
town clerk positions from $3,500 to $5,000.

On the $20,000 increase in the $60,000 winter roads account, First Selectman
Lee Ireland said the account has gone over budget and the increase is
requested to avoid having the department run in the red again next winter.
If the money is not all used, Ireland said it will be brought forward at the
end of the year so it would be available for 2009.

STRONG -- Voters on a snowy Saturday spent just over two hours discussing town budgets, including the rising cost of providing fire protection and maintaining public roads.

At the end of the town meeting, about 50 residents approved a nearly $512,000 operating budget for 2008, up about $7,000 over last year. The biggest discussions of the morning revolved around the $228,000 highway budget and the nearly $70,000 fire department budget.

EUSTIS -- About two dozen voters made it to the annual town meeting Saturday in a snowstorm Saturday, approving a nearly $612,000 operating budget where the biggest discussion was on support of the local snowmobile club.

The budget is about $3,000 higher than last year. All articles were approved as recommended by selectmen.

There was a strong contingent of snowmobile enthusiasts there to show support for the $7,500 request from the Arnold Trail Snowmobile Club.

KINGFIELD -- The handful of citizens who braved Saturday's winter storm quickly passed their 35-article warrant with little debate or opposition.

The $705,940 appropriation request presented a potential for a six percent increase from last year's $662,115 budget, but revenues, including $19,500 from Poland Spring's TIF (tax increment financing) dollars, helped keep the budget under the state's allowable tax levy limit of $684,725.

The 35 voters, led by moderator Paul Mills, also approved spending $225,495 from TIF revenue for future municipal projects, including a new wastewater treatment plant. Most of the funding for the new administrative assistant's salary will come from those funds, also.

This year's annual report was dedicated to Town Clerk Jean Orbeton, who retired in December after 37 years.

NEW SHARON -- Voters ousted the town's longtime first selectman, but two other incumbents on the board survived challenges during Saturday's town meeting.

James W. Smith, who has held the first selectman's post for 46 years, was defeated by Larry Donald, 128-112, in a second vote that was required after those two and a third candidate failed to reach a majority vote. The third nominee, Spencer Thompson, withdrew after the first vote.