Smyrna, Merrill hold town meetings

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    Town meeting time kicked off with a flurry last week as residents of Smyrna and Merrill gathered March 5 and 6 respectively.
    Voter turnout was sparse in Smyrna, March 5, as just 11 citizens cast votes for two board of selectmen seats and one RSU 50 school board seat. All races were uncontested. Ross Crandall was re-elected to a three-year term on the town’s board, while Arden Williams was elected to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of John Graham.
    Incumbent Leanne White was re-elected to the RSU 50 School Board for a three-year term.
    Later that same evening, a dozen people attended the town meeting. According to Town Manager Candy Nevers, a municipal budget of $192,600 was approved. The budget was up $8,000 over last year. Nevers attributed the increase to a rise in insurance expenses and a small increase for winter road maintenance.
    At the Merrill town meeting March 6, a total of 50 voters went to the polls to vote for a seat on the board of selectmen. Incumbent, Craig McMannus was re-elected with 40 votes.
    During the evening portion of the town meeting, nearly 20 people participated. A municipal budget in the amount of $167,400 was passed. The spending plan is up $6,000 over last year. According to Nevers, the increase, which is about 3.5 percent, was also due to a rise in the town’s insurances and an increase in the cost of road maintenance for the winter months.