LINCOLNVILLE — The five politicians delivering their pitches to the voters in Lincolnville Thursday evening, June 14, at 2018 Town Meeting took almost as much time as the municipal business itself, but the 30-plus residents seated in the Walsh Common Room at Lincolnville Central School listened quietly and respectfully. They then easily approved all remaining 26 articles on the warrant left over following voting day on June 12, and with one fell swoop, tended to the final 10 articles in one motion.

“Mr. Moderator,” interjected Selectman David Barrows, just before 7 p.m., when it came time to consider the annual proposal to appropriate all the money received from the state for snowmobile registrations to go to the Lincolnville Mountain Goats Snowmobile Club for maintaining trails. “I move to combine Articles 22 through 31 into one article.”

Moderator Paul Gibbons asked the citizens their opinion on the Barrow amendment, and its was readily approved by all voters. Annual Town Meeting 2018 lasted approximately one hour in Lincolnville.

But in that hour, the 30-plus citizens took care of approving a $2 million budget that reflected a 4.8 percent increase over the 2017-2018 budget, and included helping the town library out with a $3,000 expenditure to support hiring a director.

Voters were also pleased to learn that the public works budget had decreased 2 percent from $982,040 to 969,600, and wanted to know why.

That was due, explained Town Administrator David Kinney, to several factors, including the decrease in paving expenditures and the reduction in winter road maintenance prices.

Citizens also queried why the municipal protection line had increased from $182,913 to $246,697. 

Kinney explained that ambulance contract with North East Mobile Health Services had increased from $14,390 to $57,500, the result of a hike in price negotiated among the four towns that contract with North East — Camden, Hope, Lincolnville and Rockport.

Other protection increases reflect a increase in reimbursement to volunteer firefighters who respond to emergencies and fires. They have been compensated $10 per call, but that is increased to $11 per call.

The gestation of the Lincolnville Community Library began in 2011, and by 2017, it was fully operating and growing, thanks in great part to the volunteer effort of Director Sheila Polson, to whom the annual town report was dedicated to. (Read Lincolnville Select Board dedicates town report, and presents Boston Cane)

But Polson decided she wanted to step back, and as Kathleen Oliver explained at town meeting, the time had come to hire a director for 10 hours a week.

“She had stunningly guided us through the years.” she said, and the library board estimated Polson had dedicated 30 hours a week of work to the effort.

The volunteer board got together and parceled out Polson’s tasks, but eventually concluded that a director was needed for 10 hours a week. The board estimated it would cost $7,000 a year, and after examining the library budget, decided to ask the town to cover $3,000 of that $7,000 position.

“This is defines the word ‘bargain,’” said Lincolnville resident Rick McKittredge. 

His fellow citizens agreed and voted unanimously for the expenditure.

As the citizenry moved to the next article, “To see what sum the town will vote to raise and appropriate for provider agencies,” a motion was made to restore the allocation off $750 to the American Red Cross. That amendment was approved, but not unanimously.

The selectmen had recommended the following funding for the provider agencies: Belfast Area Child Care, $500; Camden Area Nursing, $1; LifeFlight Foundation, $750; New Hope for Women, $12,240; Spectrum Generations, $1,625; and WCAP, $2,774.

The Budget Committee had also recommended that funding, but in addition had included $750 for the Red Cross and $350 for the Waldo County YMCA.

There was no discussion about the matter, but the amendment to restore $750 to the Red Cross passed by a majority, although there were nine hands raised voting no.

Lincolnville citizens also approved a $155,400 capital improvement schedule, which includes $20,000 for the fire truck fund, $50,000 for road improvements, $25,000 for harbor improvements, $21,400 for the building repair fund; and two new lines: $24,000 for the Beach sidewalk light upgrades and $15,000 for the Beach Fire Station and Lincolnville Improvement Association sewer connection.

Immediately following the adjournment of town meeting, the select board convened to elect Ladleah Dunn again as chairwoman, and Keryn Laite as vice chairman.

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657