WASHINGTON — Approximately 50 residents braved snowy conditions to attend Washington’s annual town meeting March 29. Most warrant items passed without discussion, including articles directing the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. 

Town Clerk Mary Anderson said 236 residents voted in the March 28 election, which included a run for the Regional School Unit Board of Directors: Rachael Morris received 152 votes to Bob Jones’ 83 votes for the oneopen school board seat.

Select Board incumbent Wesley Daniel ran unopposed and received 216 votes to retain his seat.

Washington’s municipal budget will increase by 1.18% to $1,314,657. That does not include assessment for Union Ambulance or the local school district.

In 2024, the municipal budget was 37.37% of the total property tax burden, Knox County’s assessment was 7.46%, and Regional School Unit 40’s assessment amounted to 55.17% of the tax burden. 

The new budget includes a 5% pay raises for employees, a 13.33% increase in the Select Board Member stipend (a $1,000 increase from $7,500 to $8,500 per year), and the creation of a new position of Sexton with a stipend of $500 a year. The Sexton will oversee the town’s cemeteries. 

The budget included one notable decrease: the Code Enforcement Officer position dropped from $26,250 to $15,000. As of March 1, only $10,285.14 of 2024's budgeted $26,250 has been expended. 

Current CEO Zach Herrick stated that due to his personal commitments, he has not and will not have more time to commit to the position. He also said he requested this change because it has been an unreasonable burden to document the time he spent answering phone calls outside his office hours.

With a flat stipend, CEO Herrick will not track the time he spends completing his duties. The position will switch from being billed hourly to a monthly stipend of $900 plus $100 for mileage. 

The most significant discussion occurred in the vote to approve funds for an upcoming re-evaluation. The Select Board recommended raising $40,000 to add to the current revaluation fund balance of $41,000. The Budget Committee recommended keeping the appropriation at the 2024 level of $20,000. 

At the town meeting, Budget Chair Don Grinnell said this was the only budget item on which the committee and the Board did not agree. He moved to amend the warrant item to reduce the appropriation from the $40,000 recommended by the Select Board to $20,000. 

Select Board Chair Katherine Grinnell said Washington has never had a full revaluation. This has led to general unfairness across properties which needs to be settled with a complete revaluation. By raising more money now, the Town would have to borrow less money for the future evaluation, she said. 

Resident Joan Tognacci said the State requires municipalities to revaluate every ten years. The State could give Washington a “slap on the wrist” for the failure, Tognacci said. 

A few audience members questioned the necessity for a revaluation and the estimated total cost. Board Chair Grinnell said Damariscotta is currently undergoing a revaluation, which will cost that town $240,000. Grinnell said because Washington has fewer parcels, fewer commercial properties, and more wooded lots, the cost will be less, but that number is a rough estimate. 

Resident Peg Hobbs moved to split the difference and amend the appropriation to $30,000. That motion failed, as did Don Grinnell’s motion to reduce the burden to $20,000. The warrant item passed as written and $40,000 will be appropriated in the coming fiscal year.

In the final appropriation vote, voters approved raising $13,200 to repair, restore and clean the headstones at the Maple Grove Cemetery. These new funds will be combined with the current $10,000 balance in the headstone restoration fund for this project. 

In a special announcement, Select Board Member Mitch Garnett said the Town’s Recreation Committee currently has no members. The Rec Committee is responsible for organizing youth baseball, basketball, and soccer, the annual 5K and paddle races, and other Town-sponsored recreation activities. 

The Spirit of America Unsung Hero Award was presented to Hazel Kopishke. Select Board Member Mitch Garnett presented the recognition with a short speech highlighting Kopishke’s service to the Town of Washington. 

Kopishke has taught at Prescott Memorial School for 33 years. She has served on Gibbs Library’s Board of Trustees for many years, particularly focusing on children’s programming including the Chickadee program, summer reading, and author visits. Kopishke also serves on the Minnie Weaver Scholarship Committee. 

Kopishke’s leadership extends to the Washington Historical Society, where she plays a vital role in preserving and sharing the Town’s rich heritage. Kopishke contributes to various projects including creating the annual calendar, organizing events, and helping establish the museum. 

Kopishke is the “driving force” behind force the annual Washington Community Auction, an event that raises vital funds for a dozen local organizations. Her generosity, dedication, and community service merits this recognition, Garnett concluded. A standing ovation greeted Kopishke as she accepted the award surrounded by her family. 

Copies of the 2024 Annual Report are available at the Town Office.