The annual Weld elections are Tuesday, Feb. 28, with annual town meeting Saturday, March 4. File photo/Livermore Falls Advertiser

WELD — Elections for several positions will be held 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, in the multi-purpose room at the town office/post office complex. The annual town meeting will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 4, at the town hall.

“Lisa Miller is uncontested for a three-year seat on the Select Board,” Town Clerk Carol Cochran said recently. “Brian Hayes is not seeking re-election.”

Hayes was elected in 2021 to fill the remaining two-years of a three-year term that had been held by David Rackliffe, who resigned from the position.

“Debbie Smith is the only one running for the school board position,” Cochran said. Smith is currently vice chair of the Regional School Union 9 Board of Directors. The position is for three years.

Nancy Stowell is coming off the Planning Board, Tom Wheeler resigned, Cochran said. There is a five-year and a one-year term open with no papers taken out for either, she noted.

Incumbents Russell Banton and Linda Healey are seeking re-election to the Budget Committee, Cochran said. There are two three-year terms open, she added.

Voters on Saturday will consider declining a proposal from Matrix Design Group that would make broadband telecommunications services available to all 911 addresses.

“At the 2020 town meeting the town authorized the Select Board to proceed with negotiations with Matrix,” Select Chairman Richard Doughty wrote in an email Tuesday, Feb. 21, in response to questions from the Franklin Journal. “As more details of the proposal and the cost to the town and subscribers emerged, public support diminished. Following a public information session last August several citizens came forward with questions and concerns. It was suggested that a survey be sent to citizens. This was done and the returned surveys reflected a large majority indicating they were not interested in paying more for enhanced internet service and/or using taxpayer dollars to support internet infrastructure upgrades. The Select Board does not believe further negotiation with Matrix would result in any changes and seeks to provide the voters an opportunity to discuss the issue and provide direction.”

Also being considered is recognizing all state holidays for full time employees.

“Historically the town clerk/tax collector was eligible for all state holidays falling on scheduled work days, and the road commissioner was eligible for three holidays per year, Doughty wrote. “At the 2017 town meeting the town voted to pay the road commissioner for all state holidays falling between April 1 and Dec 1. [8 per year].  When road commissioner position became appointed, candidates who applied asked about winter holidays and the Select Board voted to temporarily pay for winter state holidays and submit an article at the next town meeting allowing the town to establish a policy going forward. The intent of the proposed article is to provide voters an opportunity to establish a policy that would apply to all four “full time” employees. There are currently 13 or 14 “state holidays” per year depending upon the year.”

Changing the date of the annual Town Meeting will be debated too.

“The town recently voted to hold municipal elections on the Tuesday before town meeting to coincide with statewide primary elections and avoid having two elections back to back,” Doughty wrote. Statewide primary elections are held on the first Tuesday in March. In 2024 that is Tuesday March 5th. We are proposing municipal elections on that day, with the Town Meeting the following Saturday.”

Voters will also be asked to approve a $710,915 proposed budget recommended by selectmen and the Budget Committee. It is an increase of $92,397 or 14.9% higher than last year’s $618,518 approved budget. Last year’s budget does not include the $22,000 in ARPA funds voters approved, Cochran said.

As part of the proposed budget, voters will be asked to approve increases in pay for positions with the exception of road commissioner and heavy equipment operator.