The Dresden Board of Selectmen signed the warrant Tuesday, May 19 for the annual town meeting on Saturday, June 13 at a special meeting Monday. The warrant totals $355,354 in appropriations. They had to add a few items Monday to the warrant before signing Tuesday.

At its regular meeting Monday, the board added the budget finance committee’s recommendation for a $310,900 total budget compared to the selectmen’s recommendation, which is $28,754 more than last year. The increase amounts to a .03 increase in the town’s tax rate, according to Trudy Foss, administrative assistant.

Part of the budget will consist of the first-year payment of $187,354 for a three-year snow plowing contract selectmen accepted the bid for at its last meeting. The total for the three years amounts to $579, 091 with increments of $192,974 for next year and $198,763 the following year.

At its next meeting on Monday, June 1, selectmen will hold a public hearing on the updated flood plain management ordinance involving new FEMA maps requiring minor changes to the ordinance.

Comprehensive plan committee chairman David Probert said the plan is ready for a public hearing set for Saturday, June 30 at 9 a.m. at Pownalborough Hall.

Selectmen also discussed a boat ramp near the new Dresden-Richmond bridge, which the Maine Dept. of Transportation will construct. The ramp requires $22,000 for a permit, which selectmen added to the annual town meeting warrant. Selectmen recommend taking the amount from surplus.

In other business Monday, Selectman Allan Moeller reported the town has finished applying riprap and overlays where needed on Blinn Hill and Bog Road.

The Fire Department reported it had a consultant make recommendations to better the operation of the department. Following a review of its operation, the consultant recommended improvement in record keeping and training to bring things up to date.

Foss reported sending a letter to the Maine Municipal Association (MMA) about three more things the town has to do on the list of recommendations for maintenance of town buildings after its inspection of them April 9. The town has to make the improvements in order to qualify for continuation of its insurance with the MMA.

Coming meetings

The town office will be closed this coming Monday, May 25 for observance of Memorial Day.

The next meeting of the Board of Selectmen will be held on Monday, June 1 at 7 p.m., preceded by a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. at Pownalborough Hall to vote on an update of the flood plain management ordinance.