WINDSOR — Residents approved the $1.89 million municipal budget Wednesday during Town Meeting at Windsor Elementary School.

The budget’s increase of 7 percent over the current year’s budget would be offset by using $150,000 from the town’s extra money that went unspent in recent years.

The majority of the 38 articles in the warrant passed without discussion from the more than 30 people in attendance. However, the article asking for funds for the town’s administration inspired a lengthy debate. The selectmen and the Budget Committee both recommended $319,667, which included $7,500, or $1,500 each, for the selectmen’s stipend.

After several people spoke about how much time the selectmen dedicate for free to the town, a motion to remove the $7,500 stipend was approved by a 15-10 vote.

The $7,500 maintenance required on a backup public works truck met some resistance. The 2003 model truck runs but needs more maintenance than some of the other trucks in the fleet. Some residents argued that the truck might be too expensive to keep, but the article passed, including the money to maintain the truck.

After factoring in the town’s share of the Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit 12 budget, Windsor taxpayers can expect an increase in their property taxes. Ray Bates, chairman of the selectmen, estimated the tax rate, now $11.90 per $1,000 of valuation, could increase about 80 cents for every $1,000 of value, or $80 on a home worth $100,000.

The voters approved dipping further into the fund balance to pay for paving at the Town Office parking lot and the transfer station, a new porch at the Town Office and road reconstruction projects on Weeks Mills and Windsor Neck roads.

The town sought and received approval to spend $205,055 for reconstruction and paving 1.3 miles on Windsor Neck Road and 1.1 miles of Weeks Mills Road. Bids for the project came in under the $250,000 the selectmen had budgeted for the work.

Town Manager Theresa Haskell said once the town completes the paving work this year, 80 percent of the town’s roads will have been paved in the last nine years.

“This is the year to pave,” Haskell said. Haskell said the town has received several bids and believes the town will save money by paving this year.

Voters also gave the go-ahead to take $60,000 from the fund balance to pave the transfer station and public works area, plus another $75,000 to pave the Town Office’s parking lot and replace the office’s front porch. An electronic sign will be installed that town officials will use to advertise public events.

Low material costs have resulted in paving costs lower than what was expected, Bates said.

Christopher Haiss was elected to selectman after receiving 130 votes during Tuesday’s election. Allison Whynot received 69 votes. Thomas McNaughton received 155 votes and was elected to the RSU 12 School Committee for a three-year term.

Jason Pafundi — 621-5663

jpafundi@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @jasonpafundiKJ

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