Wilmot Town Meeting preview

The only petitioned article is Article 27, which, if passed, will authorize an agreement between the Wilmot Selectboard and the Wilmot Historical Society to lease town land on North Wilmot Road to construct a 30’ x 60’ “historically appropriate building” to use as museum-type storage that will be open to the public.

The proposed operating budget for the town is $1.96 million, up almost $190,000, or about 11%, from last year's $1.77 million. Major increases in legal, insurance, and the police department make up the crux of the increase.

If approved, the town portion tax rate will go up $1.01 per $1,000 of assessed property value, which is about $303 more on a $300,000 home.

Articles 4 and 5 ask for a combined $180,000 towards paving town roads. Article 6 authorizes a $405,000 grader purchase, with only $160,000 from taxation.

Nicholas Brodich is running for town moderator, Kelsie Lee Clarke for trustee of the trust funds, and Tom Schamberg for select board. Alison Vaill Mastin is running for overseer of public welfare, Lisa Lamson for town clerk/tax collector, and Carlyse Evans for supervisor of checklist. Christine Jenssen is running for both cemetery and library trustee.

Town meeting is set for 7 p.m. tonight at Wilmot Town Hall.