CHESTERVILLE — Residents at Monday night’s annual town meeting will consider 57 articles and elect three selectmen and an RSU 9 director.

Election hours are extended this year. Voting takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, March 11, at the town hall. The annual town meeting begins there at 7 p.m.

Changing from a three-member to a five-member Board of Selectmen, means two three-year and a one-year seat will be on the ballot, Town Clerk Pat Gordon said.

Selectman David Archer is seeking re-election to a three-year term. Other candidates for the three-year seats are Josefa Hanson, Nicole Ibarguen and Craig Stickney.

Maitland Lord Jr. is the only candidate for the one-year seat, she said.

RSU 9 director Wanda Soule is seeking re-election but is challenged for the seat by Ross Clair.

During town meeting, residents will consider a proposed budget of $452,666, which is less than last year’s $495,072. 

Gordon attributed the difference to funds raised last year to repair Zion Hill Road and work on the George Thomas Road.

The town has tried to keep costs down since no one is sure what will happen with the state budget or revenue sharing for the town, she said.

An anticipated $175,000 from excise tax is used on road maintenance, and added to the amount appropriated it brings the total proposed budget to $627,666. 

This does not include school or county taxes, she said.

Among the warrant articles, residents will consider authorizing selectmen to establish a committee to research and write an ordinance to regulate mining activity and to protect the quality and flow of water into and out of the aquifer, she said.

They will consider raising $7,000 to create two new office spaces at the town office and whether to allow use of money from the equipment reserve fund to purchase a plow truck.

Voters will also consider whether to establish a local fireworks ordinance to regulate how close they can be to homes, livestock, pastures and barns.

abryant@sunjournal.com