Voting sparse in town elections

Voting was sparse throughout Aroostook County as many precincts reported low turnout for the June primary and school budget referendums.
In Houlton, voters approved a bond referendum seeking to spend $1.6 million in Tax Increment Finance funds to extend the water and sewer lines along North Road. The measure passed 336-103.
    It will mark the second time water and sewer will be extended on North Road in the past two years.
In March 2011, the Houlton Water Company funded the first phase of the North Road water sewer project, with town TIF funds placed into a reserve account. Much of that extension was to accommodate a parcel of land, which is now occupied by the Tractor Supply Company, but it also created additional retail expansion opportunities in that area.
At that time, then-Town Manager Doug Hazlett said the council had been weighing the extension of services on the North Road for at least five years. The town instituted a TIF program about six years ago, but has not had an opportunity to use the funds associated with that program until that project came about. There are several TIF districts within the town, including one at the Houlton International Airport and another located in the downtown region.
The expansion, which will take place this summer, will extend public water and sewer from the Tractor Supply Company Store north to just south of the Currier Road. Undertaking such a major project has been on the town’s radar since at least 2007 when it crafted a comprehensive plan. That plan suggested expanding the water and sewer along the North Road, since that area was targeted as the spot most likely to be developed in the future.
School budgets pass
Voters from SAD 29 approved a $12,492,226 budget by a vote of 353 “yes” and 218 “no.” A breakdown of votes by town is as follows: Hammond, 15-3; Houlton, 261-176; Littleton, 48-17; and Monticello, 29-22.
The budget for 2012-13 features an increase in spending of about $411,177 (3.4 percent) over the previous year.
Houlton’s share of the required local effort and Adult Ed costs will be $2,215,030, an increase of $328,382 (17.4 percent) over last year. Littleton’s share of the budget will be $418,466, an increase of $67,476 (19.2 percent). Monticello’s share will be $331,723, an increase of $61,521 (22.7 percent). Hammond’s share would be $52,665, an increase of $9,893 (23.1 percent).
In SAD 70, voters approved a $6,281,988 school budget for 2012-13. The budget passed, 215-66. A breakdown of votes by town is as follows: Ludlow, 22-15; Amity, 13-11; Hodgdon, 82-23; Cary, 10-2; New Limerick, 39-2; Linneus, 35-12; and Hanesville, 14-1.
The budget features an increase of $43,344 in spending over the previous year (less than 1 percent increase).
A breakdown of the local impact, which is based on state valuations, is as follows: Amity, $128,061 (an increase of $6,028); Cary, $114,631 (up $3,435); Haynesville, $89,691 (up $2,053); Hodgdon, $546,777 (up $23,308); Linneus, $590,903 (up $10,422); Ludlow, $221,109 (up $14,266); and New Limerick, $710,695 (up $25,528).
Among the reasons for the increased spending were: 4 percent increase in salaries and benefits for staff totaling about $20,000; rises in fuel costs of $20,000; a $6,000 increase in electricity costs; hiring a math interventionist at the high school, at a cost of $63,000; a math interventionist for the elementary school, at a cost of $42,000; adding an elementary ed tech, at a cost of $23,130; $10,000 for an engineering study to be done for a new heating system at the Mill Pond Elementary School; $10,0000 for the food services account to provide healthier foods for students; and a $9,000 increase in the athletic director’s stipend.