Smyrna and Merrill pass town budgets and elect officials

SMYRNA, Maine — The towns of Smyrna and Merrill passed their town budgets during annual town meetings last week.

The Town of Merrill held their meeting on March 6 and the Town of Smyrna held their meeting the following day on March 7.

Fourteen residents attended the business portion of the Merrill meeting and the municipal budget of $263,432.64 passed as presented, according to Town Manager Candy Nevers.

“Merrill residents will see a flat mill rate — which is good because they increased each year for the past two years,” Nevers said. “ It was nice to see people get out and be involved in town business.”

In voting, incumbent John White was on the ballot for a three-year term for selectman.  Thirty votes were cast; write-in candidate Michael Weston received 18 votes; John White, 11 votes and Craig McMannus, 1 write-in vote.  

Michael Weston was elected to a three-year term for selectman, Nevers said.

The turn-out for Smyrna’s town meeting was less than a dozen, Nevers said.

The Smyrna town budget of $324,087.91 passed as presented. 

Smyrna residents will see a slight increase in the mill rate, but it has held steady for a couple of years,” Nevers said. “The municipal appropriation is up about $10,000. But our other income to use against the budget is also up. The determining factor will be the school budget and the county budget.”

In Smyrna voting, incumbent Adam Anderson ran unopposed and was re-elected.