WELD – Residents attending Saturday’s annual town meeting will get to see a piece of town history that was thought to be forever lost. Recently discovered is the original town incorporation document drawn up in 1816 that made the town of Weld official. The historical artifact will be on display at the meeting which begins at 10 a.m. at the Town Office.
Polls will be open at the multipurpose room on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. After serving for three or more terms as selectmen, Laureen Pratt has decided not to seek re-election. Wayne DuBois is running unopposed on the ballot for the three-year term. In other elections, Margot Joly seeks re-election to a five-year term on the planning board and Carol Cochran is seeking re-election for the 35th year as town clerk and for the 36th year as tax collector.
According to Selectman Board Chairwoman Nancy Stowell, the spending limit under the LD 1 tax cap total is $211,977. “If everything passes and depending what is raised and appropriated, we may be over that,” she said.
Among the items on the warrant for voter consideration is the question of buying a used tanker or pumper truck for the fire department. The current 1969 tanker is non-compliant with the state’s mandated requirements and it either needs a new tank to replace the old one, or, as selectmen are recommending, purchasing a newer, used model. A 1989 tanker has been found in New Hampshire that is going for $16,500. Selectmen are recommending paying for the tanker from the town’s funding surplus account.
In other money matters, Article 43 is asking that $5,000 go towards the town’s bicentennial celebration in 2016. Stowell said the Bicentennial Committee had been requesting $600 a year, but now that 2016 is getting closer, the committee wants to raise $5,000 towards the event.
Article 5 is asking that the the road commissioner position move from an appointed one by selectmen to an elected one by voters. Resident Kelly Hutchinson petitioned for the initiative to appear on the ballot. Hutchinson, a former road commissioner, wants voters to decide who should maintain the town’s roads for a three-year term.
Stowell said it’s difficult to find a qualified person in the small town. Currently, Alan Magrath of Wilton, serves as Weld’s road commissioner.
