D-F residents approve $5M-plus budget

DOVER-FOXCROFT — All nine referendum articles were passed by a majority of the 330 residents at the polls on June 13. The financial articles make up a 2017-18 municipal budget of $5,074,820, a near $490,000 increase (10.68 percent) from the current fiscal year.

After nearly $2,357,000 in revenues — which come to a little more than $408,400 or 20.96 percent more from the year before due to higher excise tax collection and use of fund balance — have been applied, a figure of $2,717,970 would need to be raised through property taxes.

The net budget total is up by approximately $81,300 from 2016-17, a difference of 3.08 percent. The proposed 2017-18 finances would lead to an approximate $0.25 increase in the mill rate, from the current rate of $20.25 for every $1,000 in assessed property.

Residents, via 172-116 count, approved the charter revisions recommended by the charter commission established one year ago for the purpose of revising the decade-old municipal document.

By a vote of 182 in favor to 130 opposed, an ordinance prohibiting retail marijuana establishments and retail marijuana social clubs in Dover-Foxcroft was enacted.

With the article approved, an ensuing item on a moratorium concerning retail marijuana establishments and retail marijuana social clubs in Dover-Foxcroft was rendered moot but the second article would have passed by a tally of 187-119.

Board of Selectmen Chair Elwood Edgerly was reelected to another three-year term with 218 votes and incumbents Stephen Grammont and Ernie W. Thomas were also both re-elected for three more years with respective vote totals of 222 and 234. The three were the only candidates listed on the ballot.

For a three-year HAD 4 board of directors seat, John Cushing won the election over Christopher Mass at 165 votes to 124.

Timothy Smith, the only candidate on the ballot for a three-year RSU 68 school board position, will serve another stint after receiving 278 votes.

Amy Fagan-Cannon was reelected to another year-long term on the Thompson Free Library Executive Committee as she received 298 votes as the only candidate listed for the position.

The full results of the Dover-Foxcroft referendum can be found at www.dover-foxcroft.org.