DENMARK – Residents of this Oxford County town overruled a recommendation by the board of selectmen Saturday and gave the local library all of the money it was seeking.

The Denmark Public Library wanted $9,000 from the town, but the selectmen and budget committee was recommending that only $5,000 be appropriated.

Following a discussion at Saturday's town meeting, Denmark residents decided in a secret-ballot vote to give $9,000 to the library, according to Town Clerk Chery Booker.

Booker said that 47 people attended the meeting, which lasted just under two hours, at the Denmark municipal building. She called the turnout low. The town has around 1,100 residents, according to the latest available Census data.

Most of the town's spending proposals were approved by voters without changes, according to Booker.

She said that elections for the planning board, board of selectmen and fire chief were held Friday night, but none of the races were contested.

Third time’s the charm. After two stormy Saturdays that forced the cancellation of Hiram’s town meeting, residents voted Saturday to spend up to $363,582 for a new fire truck.

The truck will replace a 27-year-old truck in the East Hiram Fire Department, said Selectman Jim Moulton. The condition of the bond allows the town to pay off the debt over a 10-year period but the debt will likely be paid off in less time.

“The Fire Department thought it was important it passed with a solid majority after a lot of discussion,” Moulton said. “A new fire truck is not a common occurrence in Hiram.”

Residents approved nearly all the budget articles, including $6,500 to operate the Sacopee Rescue Unit; $20,000 toward a town-wide revaluation; $111,350 for the solid waste account, and $79,000 for road maintenance.

Residents rejected a few items, such as $3,000 for community concepts and $5,000 that would have been placed into an account for purchasing a vehicle for a town department in the future.

Residents at Saturday’s town meeting voted to increase the winter roads budget by nearly $40,000 due to the number of storms that pounded the region this winter.

Residents voted to raise $160,000 to maintain winter roads. Lewis Williams, who lost his seat Saturday on the Board of Selectmen, said since January the town has spent $123,000 to maintain roads.

“This is one area you can’t fight Mother Nature, you have to push her out of the way,” Williams said.

Residents approved nearly every budget article, including $42,000 for the fire department; $81,000 to operate the transfer station; and $1,800 for town cemeteries.

Voters also decided to spend $25,000 to build an athletic field at Hebron Station Elementary School. Williams said the initial request was for $35,000. After an hour of debate, it passed with a condition to use material from the town pit for filling the field.

Residents rejected a $35,000 request to buy a truck that would be built to plow snow and sand roads.

“There was a feeling that the town should invest in a new plow truck and spend somewhere around $165,000 to $170,000. That will come up at a special town meeting,” Williams said.

In elections, Joan Clough was re-elected as town clerk, treasurer and tax collector. Bill Clough was re-elected as a library trustee.

About 40 residents at Saturday’s town meeting approved a $579,458 municipal budget and supported a request for $75,000 for road paving projects.

The budget represents a $150,509 increase over last year, which will raise taxes, said Selectman Jackie Conant.

Residents approved all budget items, including $6,200 for the recreation department; $35,000 for the fire department; $53,000 for protection and enforcement; and $173,000 to repair and maintain roads.

Residents overwhelmingly rejected a citizen’s request to adopt a secret ballot referendum voting system for budget items over $5,000.

In elections Friday, Donna Hebert and Scotty Kilbreth were elected to the Board of Selectmen for three–year terms. Kathy Hutchins, Tricia Blanchard, and Jeff Cavanaugh were elected to the Planning Board for three–year terms. Clinton Conant and Lindsy Hayes were elected to the Budget Committee.

About 40 residents at Saturday’s town meeting approved a $622,651 municipal budget and welcomed Ken Wilson as their new moderator.

At the start of the meeting, Selectman Robert Heard recognized David Fullam’s 20 years of service as moderator, and residents erupted in applause. “The town appreciates his years of service,” Heard said.

There was nearly $4,000 cut from the budget, including $1,500 to the Western Maine Economic Development Council and $1,500 for Tri–County Mental Health Services.

“The budget committee looked at the number of people (the mental health agency) said they were serving and felt that their numbers didn’t justify their request,” Heard said. “The voters were really screaming about money this year.”

Residents approved the animal control ordinance and voted to raise $25,000 to put back into surplus. Heard said the board made a concerted effort to limit the amount used from surplus.

No one stepped forward to join the Planning Board at the town meeting Saturday or wanted to become an alternate on the appeals board.

“We will have to twist some arms to fill the Planning Board seat,” said Town Clerk Jane Gibbons. “They know how much work it is.”

About 38 residents approved nearly all budget items and voted to raise $70,000 to maintain roads. Voters also decided to raise $112,000 for snow removal.

“Already this year, we used up $30,000 more than we used last year at this time,” Gibbons said.

Voters tabled a request for $10,000 that would have paid for the drawing and design of a new fire station.

Residents elected Warren Noble to the Board of Selectmen for a three–year term. Frances Flint was elected treasurer, tax collector, and excise tax collector. Gibbons will serve another three years as town clerk and two years as registrar of voters.

John Smith was elected alternate to the Planning Board and Michelle Windsor was elected to the appeals board for a five-year term. Two seats remain open as alternates on the appeals board.

Wendy Slattery was elected to the Board of Directors for School Administrative District 72.

The plantation took a beating this winter.

About nine residents at the town meeting Saturday approved an estimated $68,300 municipal budget.

Voters approved a $5,000 increase in their snow removal budget and voted to raise $12,000.

“We have to blame Mother Nature,” said Assessor Bruce Bean. “We are suffering the same as everyone else with the weather and fuel prices.”

Residents also voted to raise $20,000 to repair Pond Brook Road, their only road. Bean said it’s a hefty increase over last year. He said the meeting went well and all budget items were approved.

Voters also passed the $83,714 school budget.

STONEHAM — Voters at Saturday’s town meeting rejected a proposal to raise $18,000 for playground equipment that would have given the town’s 60 children a playground.

“It was a disappointment to a lot of people,” Selectman John Collins said. “A resident has agreed to lease a field that she owns so we could have a playground, ballfield, and a walking path. Through her generosity, we hope to build on that to give kids a place where they can go.”

About 45 of the town’s 250 residents approved the estimated $160,000 municipal budget.

Voters agreed to raise $25,000 for a revaluation and $15,000 for attorney fees. Collins said the town has never had a professional revaluation. He said every year, the board tries to visit 25 percent of the properties in town.

“It is the first year any money has been appropriated,” Collins said. “The selectpersons have been aggressive in following the transfer of titles and have kept up with the assessed to market values of properties.”

Residents voted to raise $35,000 for repairing highways and bridges; $10,000 for the fire department; and $35,000 for snow removal.

In elections, residents elected Neal Littlefield to serve another three–year term on the Board of Selectmen.

Fire Chief Albert Fox retired after 35 years of service, and his son Greg Fox will take over the post. A resident nominated the older Fox to serve as assistant fire chief.

“Everyone in town is absolutely delighted with this arrangement,” Collins said.

HIRAM — Hiram’s town meeting was canceled for the second week in a row. It was rescheduled for 9 a.m. next Saturday at the Hiram Elementary School on Schoolhouse Road. For more information, call 625-4663.

LOVELL — For 14 years running, residents at the annual town meeting have contested a request to raise $360 to support Maine Public Broadcasting Network.

This year was no different. Residents rejected the request in honor of the late John Fox, who opposed it every year because he never got the channel. Fox died three years ago and resident John Carter carried on the tradition.

“It is something we can always laugh at,” said Selectman Richard Eastman. “We spend more time in good humor talking about why we want to support it. But it’s a major victory when the people vote it down. For all the important issues that you have to deal with, it’s the little things like this that we can still laugh at.”

About 80 residents approved an estimated $836,000 municipal budget. Eastman said the turnout was good, considering the meeting had to be postponed from last weekend because of concerns that the roof on the old town hall was unsafe. Saturday’s meeting was held at the VFW hall.

Eastman said the budget included a $60,000 request for a backhoe, $30,000 to maintain town buildings and the grounds; and $25,000 for equipment for the fire department.

“We tried to control our financial spending and growth. I had several comments from people who respected what we do,” Eastman said.

In elections, Sherry Bois was re-elected town clerk and treasurer for a three-year term. Stephen Goldsmith was re-elected to the Board of Selectmen for a three-year term. Ron McAllaster was re-elected building inspector and code enforcement officer.

Saturday’s town meeting was rescheduled to 10 a.m. next Saturday at the fire station on Butters Hill Road. For more information, call 928-2155.

About 40 people at Saturday’s town meeting voted to raise $15,000 toward building a new addition to the West Paris Library.

The renovation project costs roughly $350,000. So far, a $110,000 trust fund will be used for the project. The library trustees will also hold fundraisers and apply for grants from charitable foundations to help offset the cost.

Town Manager John White said the library, built in the early part of the last century, is an important landmark in town.

“I think it’s a really great project for our community,” White said. “The library does a very good job, but they need a lot more room.”

Residents approved every budget item on the town warrant in less than two hours. They voted to raise $85,100 to operate the Fire Department and $113,975 to run the transfer station. Voters also decided to raise $225,000 to operate the Highway Department, which includes $85,000 for snow removal.

One item that generated some discussion was an article to raise $18,000 for general assistance, a local welfare program. The item passed. White said residents questioned the $6,000 increase over last year, attributed to the high cost of oil and increase in the number of clients they serve.

Dennis Henderson was re-elected to another three-year term on the Board of Selectmen. Shane Poland was re-elected to another three-year term on the Water District Board of Trustees.

Saturday’s town meeting was postponed. It was rescheduled for 9 a.m. March 8 at the Town Hall on Route 5. For more information, call 925-6272.

Saturday’s town meeting was postponed to 9 a.m. March 8 at Hiram Elementary School, Schoolhouse Road.

Results of Friday night’s election were not available.

For more information, call 625-4663.

About 60 residents voted Saturday to approve a $1.2 million municipal budget at their annual town meeting.

The budget reflects an estimated $48,000 increase over last year, said John Bell, chairman of the Board of Selectman.

Residents voted to raise $130,000 for repairing highway roads and bridges; $175,000 to maintain roads in the winter; and $6,000 to hire a part-time librarian.

“It was a pretty good turnout for a snowy day,” Bell said. “The meeting went quite well.”

An item that generated some healthy discussion was to raise $43,000 to transition to a single-stream recycling method and purchase a new compactor. Voters decided to accept the change.

Bell said residents also voted to raise $24,000 to purchase a backhoe and $22,000 to pave the last section of Mill Hill Road.