Jefferson residents elected two new members of the Jefferson School Committee and approved all 32 articles, including the municipal budget, during their annual town meeting by referendum on Tuesday, March 29.
Three candidates were up for two spots on the school committee. Walter Greene-Morse and Andy Bernier received 186 and 157 votes, respectively, to secure seats. Wayne Parlin received 141.
Selectman Gregory Johnston and Road Commissioner Wayne Johnston received 237 and 227 votes, respectively, to retain their positions in unopposed races. Gregory Johnston earned another three-year term; Wayne Johnston a one-year term.
Four seats on the Jefferson Budget Committee were also filled. Glenn Gervais, Andrew Johnston, Joan Jackson, and Shawn St. Cyr were elected to three-year terms with 173, 172, 165, and 161 votes, respectively.
Jefferson voters approved the 2016 municipal budget of $811,303, an increase of $81,703.
A $63,716 jump in the snowplowing contract accounts for the bulk of the increase. In total, the roads portion of the budget is $359,260, up from a 2015 total of $285,544.
Though most articles passed by a convincing total, several votes were more contested.
Article three, regarding whether the town should charge 7 percent interest on personal and real estate taxes after Oct. 1, passed 161 to 99.
Article 15, dealing with the appropriation of $3,000 for work on Punk Point Road, passed 162 to 104.
The appropriation of $9,500 for the reconstruction of Punk Point Road passed 164 to 103.
Voters approved $45,440 in state funds for the reconstruction of Punk Point and Valley roads 186 to 80.
The closest vote was article 25, a measure to appropriate $845 for Midcoast Maine Community Action, which operates Head Start; the Women, Infants, and Children nutrition program; and several other programs in the area. The article passed, 134 to 131.
Voting took place at the Jefferson Fire Station from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
