Forty Dresden residents took less than an hour for the annual town meeting Saturday, passing all major fiscal items without objection.

Selectman Allan Moeller Sr. explained an $85,000 increase in town roads maintenance. He said rates for asphalt increased from $65 per ton to $90 per ton since last year.

“We are trying to do all of Calls Hill Road,” said Moeller. He said the cost for that project is estimated at $144,000.

Moeller asked that Article 12, to discontinue maintenance on Ballard Road, be voted down. “We do not want to pass this at this time. It is under litigation,” said Moeller.

Gravel pit owner Heather Beasley calculated that the town had been given $180 of Maine Department of Transportation money without performing road maintenance. “We have done all the maintenance,” said Beasley.

Moeller said he could not comment on the issue on the advice of the town’s lawyer.

The article was defeated.

Ryan LaRochelle, representing the Dresden Historical Society, asked residents to support a new request for $2,000.

“We had to do roof repairs,” said LaRochelle. The article passed.

Voters renewed Steve Lilly as fire inspector and fire chief and Michael Nieland as assistant fire chief.

Resident Peter Lincoln affirmed that application of $105,281 from the Inge Foster Trust for repairs to the Town Landing placed no obligation on the town to match funds for the project if the work exceeded the donated amount. He said the repairs could only begin in July 2020 due to fish migration issues.

Moderator Robert Lenna asked residents to consolidate housekeeping articles 25-34. Residents approved all the remaining articles in a single vote.

First Selectman Trudy Foss could not estimate the possible tax rate increase resulting from the $99,142 increase in budget amounts voters approved.

“It won’t be much,” said Foss. Property value assessments will not be completed until August, she said.