Bremen voters will consider the Great Salt Bay Consolidated School District budget validation referendum and elect three town officials in uncontested races Tuesday, July 14.
The district’s 2020-2021 budget totals $5,707,935.01, down $392,032.07 or 6.43% from the previous year.
Bremen will contribute less than the previous year, at $676,406.65, down $113,351.26 or 14.35%.
There was no public comment on the budget during a public hearing via Zoom on June 19. The hearing replaced the in-person, open town meeting vote that usually precedes the referendum.
Bremen, Damariscotta, and Newcastle voters will all cast ballots in the referendum.
The district’s budget contains all expenses for K-8 education for the three towns. Each town’s enrollment and valuation determine its contribution to the budget.
Bremen will vote on its secondary education budget at annual town meeting later this year.
Municipal election
Selectman Wendy Pieh, school committee member Christa Thorpe, and harbor committee member Bruce Poland are running unopposed for reelection.
There are no candidates on the ballot for two seats on the planning board, which are currently vacant. All terms are three years.
Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the town center.
Annual town meeting
Bremen has postponed its annual town meeting for a second time, citing coronavirus concerns.
The annual town meeting was going to take place June 20, then July 18. Now the selectmen plan to reschedule it for a date to be determined in September.
An executive order from the governor allows towns to operate on the previous year’s budget until they can have town meeting.
