About 35 Dresden residents sat six feet apart in the cleared out fire house Saturday, July 18, with some of the bay doors open to increase airflow, while the residents passed most town meeting articles and rejected switching town meeting to a weeknight.

Jeff Pierce was moderator. Steve Lilly was reelected fire inspector and fire chief. Mike Nylen was reelected assistant fire chief.

Discussion around Article 6 that included funding for the fire department and ambulance services garnered the most interest of the morning. A $16,553 increase in the ambulance services line prompted questions which Dresden resident and Wiscasset EMS Deputy Director Erin Bean addressed. She explained, the increase now includes “uncollectibles,” when someone receiving services does not pay their bill. Dresden was not responsible for this cost last year. The article passed, however it was realized later in the meeting that voters approved last year’s appropriation figure, which would be $16,553 short.

The 2019 number had been mistakenly printed; and because an amount can only be decreased, not increased, it was determined that selectmen would address the issue with a special town meeting nearer the end of the fiscal year if the money was still needed.

A second mistake was realized on Article 15, written as  $575 less than planned. Selectmen decided to make up this difference by taking it out of their discretionary fund.

Voters did not approve changing the town meeting day. A survey of residents showed a preference to change to Tuesday evenings. Town Administrator Michael Henderson said approximately 750 residents received the survey; 39 responded. Multiple residents at the meeting said they had not received the survey. The article was voted down.

The town approved appropriating $50,000 from surplus to reduce the tax commitment.

Selectman Allan Moeller reported the snow removal contract came in at $17,194 less than anticipated. The article was amended, then approved.