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.

By Morning Sentinel Staff

CORINNA—Voters at Saturday’s town meeting agreed to borrow $2 million to repair the town’s deteriorating roads.

The total budget of of $2,067,591 approved during the meeting is about $100,000 over last year’s budget.

But because the town will use less surplus to offset the amount that must be raised by property taxes, residents will actually pay about $300,000 more this year, said Town Clerk Michelle Dumoulin.

The mil rate is expected to jump from $13.50 to $16, meaning an extra $250 for someone who owns a $100.000 home.

Voters agreed to raise $85,000 for a new plow truck. The money will be added to $85.000 raised over the past few years.

A list of ordinances also were approved, including standards for outdoor wood fired boilers. The new ordinance mirrors standards adopted by the state earlier this year.

Roger Aaron Whitney was reelected to the board of selectmen in Friday’s election. Robert Veazie also was elected to the board.

David Sharpe was elected for a three-year term on the School Administrative District 48 board of directors and Barbara Marshall will complete a one-year term.