DURHAM

After cutting more than $2 million from a proposed 2018 municipal budget, Durham taxpayers will still be looking at a nearly 4 percent tax rate increase.

Ultimately, Durham voters approved a $3.05 million municipal spending plan, which represents a $279,505 increase — or 10 percent — from the $2.77 million budget for 2017.

The budget calls for the town to raise an estimated $1.39 million in taxes, an increase of $257,386 — or 22.6 percent — from the current fiscal year’s $1.13 million.

As a result, the tax rate will increase by an estimated 3.9 percent — from $18.85 to $19.59 per $1,000 in assessed value.

For a home valued at $200,000, the estimated tax rate increase would be $148, for a total tax bill of $3,918.

Town Administrator Ruth Glaeser emphasized the tax rate projection only includes the increase for the municipal budget. She said it is based on estimates for the town’s 2018 valuation and the amount of reimbursement the town will get from the state this year through the Homestead Exemption program.

Approximately 200 people showed up to vote on the budget over the weekend.

Selectmen and the budget committee proposed issuing up to $4.2 million in general obligation bonds to rebuild 12 miles of road in town needing repair. Glaeser said voters amended that warrant article, reducing the amount the town can borrow to $2 million.

“Whatever roads we can get done for $2 million is what we will do,” she said.

Voters also agreed to borrow $480,000 to purchase a fire truck and $250,000 for an ambulance.

Durham residents, however, decided they didn’t want to spend money on purchase of a new dump truck and plow, a cost of $210,000, nor did they want to spend $26,650 to resurface the public works garage parking lot.

Elections held

An election for municipal and Regional School Unit 5 officials also took place Saturday.

According to the tally, 157 ballots were cast.

Richard George ran unopposed for the board of selectmen and was elected with 133 votes.

Neil Berry was the only person running for three slots on the budget committee. He was elected with 114 votes. Leigh Fisher garnered 40 write-in votes and Michael Clark got 16 write-in votes.

Candice Decsipkes also ran unopposed Saturday and won 133 votes to serve as a Durham representative on the RSU 5 board.

dmoore@timesrecord.com