A discussion of town roads, cemetery maintenance and the effects of school consolidation are expected to top the Somerville annual town meeting March 28 at the Somerville Elementary School gymnasium starting at 9 a.m. The polls will be open March 27 between 3 and 7 p.m. where voters will decide on the municipal positions of road commissioner, selectmen, town clerk and tax collector/treasurer.
Hunter Peaslee and Incumbent Jesse Turner are squaring off for the two-year term of town road commissioner. All other races are uncontested.
It is expected citizens will also deliberate over what is to be done with the dilapidated Sand Hill School building. Fairly certain the condition of the old school is beyond repair, selectmen want to build another in its place and use the replicated building as a new town office.
Somerville residents will be asked to raise $1500 for school consolidation costs. According to First Selectman David Stanley, this would cover the cost to survey municipal property. The town needs to survey town property, which includes the new fire station under construction, the school and town office. The need to survey this property stems from Somerville having joined the Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit. Also new for the town is that there will not be a school board member election.
Voters will be asked to support $2700 for cemetery maintenance. Stanley said the Sand Hill Cemetery is not self-funding and the town needs to raise the funds for its maintenance, such as mowing around gravestones.
The Budget Committee recommends higher costs for snow removal ($115,000) compared with the 2008 budget ($95,000).
Town officials want the public to know absentee ballots for the meeting are ready at the town office, located at 665 Patricktown Rd. and may be picked up during regular business hours. For more information call the town office at 549-3828.