In close voting Tuesday, residents approved four spending articles on a special town meeting warrant.
Town clerk Christine Wolfe said this morning that 222 residents took part in the voting, which was held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Board of Selectmen had approved all four articles, and the budget committee opposed them.
Among the articles passed, voters approved $48,674 for a codes enforcement officer, at 25 hours a week. The margin was just seven votes — 114- 107.
In June, voters rejected a 30-hour week for the position, at a salary of $54,996. The codes officer is a union position.
Residents also approved:
— Expending 3/12 of the previous year’s budget, this being additional to the 3/12 approved at the June 12 annual town meeting. The vote was 117-105.
— Raising and appropriating for contingency the sum of $50,000. The vote was 125- 95. Residents voted against a $60,000 contingency in June. Selectmen pointed out that the fund handles unexpected expenses, such as a failed water heater in the municipal building last year. The budget committee argued that some of that money was going toward raises.
— Raising and appropriating for Lincoln County Television the sum of $5,000. The vote was 120-101. The budget committee said that many people have no access to cable or a dish, but selectmen said that the services allows for transparency in government.
lgrard@timesrecord.com
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