ALFRED — Residents voted to give employees an across-the-board 2.5 percent raise this year, agreed to spend money on road and bridge repair, and agreed to allow selectmen to pursue a $230,000 bond for a new ambulance.
As well, they voted to make “Simple Gifts,” written by an Alfred Shaker, the town song.
The community’s annual Town Meeting took place Saturday. Those attending spent about two and a half hours approving a $2.31 million budget, up $94,000 from last year.
In town elections Friday, incumbent Selectman John Sylvester won an eighth term, besting his opponent by 23 votes. Sylvester earned 241 votes in the contest, while challenger Paul Gauthier received 218 votes.
John Lord was unopposed for road commissioner and earned 431 votes, RSU 57 director David W. Galbraith earned 403 votes and RSU 57 director Judith Vasalle, 375 votes. All are incumbents.
There were two write-in candidates for two terms on the Parsons Memorial Library Board, Dominique Zuluveta earned 13 votes, and Tom Stonehouse, 8 votes.
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