Solon residents at the annual Town Meeting on Saturday elected a new selectman and a new road commissioner, while agreeing to borrow $98,000 to repave the South Solon Road and Meeting House Road.
Selectwoman Mary Lou Ridley retired this year after 20 years on the Solon Board of Selectmen. Keith Gallagher, the lone candidate on the election ballot Saturday, was elected to a three-year term. Ridley was first voted into office at a special election in December 1998 to replace Robin Robinson who had to resign when she moved to Skowhegan.
Former Road Commissioner Michael Foster also retired this year. He was first elected in 2012. Gary Bishop was elected Saturday to fill the position.
Selectwoman Elaine Aloes said about 60 people attended the Town Meeting on Saturday, approving all of the articles as written. Last year’s municipal budget amount needed to be raised by taxation was $500,200. This year it is $495,720, according to Aloes.
Voters agreed to raise and appropriate $69,000 for the town transfer station, $100,000 plus reimbursements for winter roads and $110,000 plus reimbursements for summer roads.
Residents also voted to take $80,000 from surplus to reduce taxes.
In the road paving question, Aloes explained that the entire project is likely to cost about $730,000, but with available funds the town will only have to borrow $98,000 to complete the work.
Doug Harlow — 612-2367
Twitter:@Doug_Harlow
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