AVON – The 2019 annual town meeting will begin at 9 a.m. at the town office this Saturday, with voters weighing in on road construction and a bridge project, a $40,000 proposed budgetary increase and the election of town officials.
Town officers will be nominated from the floor at the meeting. According to Selectman Greta Espeaignnette, all of the current holders of one-year offices within the town – treasurer, tax collector, constable, road commissioner – are willing to serve again if nominated. Similarly, Jerome Gilchrist has indicated that he will serve another three-year term on the three-person Board of Selectmen if he is nominated.
One of the two MSAD 58 school board directors for Avon is also up for reelection, and Espeaignnette said that Wendy Warnock did not intend to run for another term. Espeaignnette hadn’t heard about any residents that had expressed interest, but hoped someone would step forward Saturday. While Warnock’s term runs through June 2019, the town would prefer to fill the position at the town meeting, Espeaignnette said.
The recommended municipal budget is up roughly $40,000 to $280,000. The biggest portion of the increase relates to roads and a replacement bridge and culvert on the Bob Orbeton Road. With the purchase of a new truck this year, selectmen are recommending that Excise Tax funds go into the town’s roads, rather than the equipment account. Those funds would be augmented by $30,000 raised and appropriated at town meeting.
Other proposed expenditures include reserving another $10,000 for a future town revaluation, and a $5,000 increase in the town’s fire protection costs. Avon works with nearby Phillips and Strong for fire protection.
