Dresden residents will vote on municipal spending that is up $140,787 when they convene at the annual town meeting at Pownalborough  Hall at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 17.

Selectman Dale Hinote said Monday, June 12 that the board and the Budget Review Committee had come together on a compromise budget. “We are in substantial agreement,” said Hinote.

Included in the requested increases are: codes enforcement officer (up $256), administrative assistant (up $15,000 due to health insurance), assessor (a new position, $7,500), FICA costs (up $4,500), insurance (up $100), fire department (up $300), roads (up $105,789). Tipping fees for solid waste are down $1,000.

Hinote said the board agreed to put additional funds into paving of dirt roads. The board recommends taking $80,000 from surplus for the road improvement projects.

Selectman Allan Moeller Sr. said that part of the roads appropriation may be used to match an $83,000 grant from the Department of Environmental Protection to replace culverts on Bog Road. Moeller said the town will soon open bids for the project. He said selectmen are prepared to accept bids up to $120,000 for the culvert construction. If the bids come in higher, the project may not be done, he said.

Article 19 authorizes selectmen to select the fire chief. Selectmen announced they have solicited resumes from people other than Fire Chief Steven Lilly. Hinote said the selectmen will normally give deference to the preference of the Dresden Fire Association but have the authority to choose someone else. Moeller said the tradition of the firefighters choosing their own chief ended in 2008 when selectmen claimed that since the officers were paid employees of the town that the board  assumed that responsibility. Lilly currently receives a $4,200 annual stipend; Assistant Chief Ron Theriault, $2,100.

Hinote said selectmen will meet at 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 15 at Pownalborough Hall to open the sealed resumes in executive session. They will then return to open session and make a nomination.

In response to a question from the audience, Hinote said townspeople could revoke the board’s authority by voting “no” on Article 19 on Saturday. “Then we would be without a chief,” said Hinote.

Hinote said it was not possible to estimate the possible increase in taxes as the result of the approval of the municipal and school budget because the state had not yet approved a school subsidy figure. Taxes could be subject to a $96,000 increase if one of the state subsidy proposals is approved, he said.

Hinote encouraged all residents to attend town meeting. “If you don’t show up, your voice will not be heard,” said Hinote.