Swan’s Island held its annual town meeting on March 1st, filling the school gym to near capacity on a sunny, spring-like day. Though discussion was occasionally lively, there were few hot button issues.
After nine years of service, Billy Banks declined to run again for the Board of Selectmen. Nancy Carter, who is only the second woman to serve on Swan’s Board of Selectmen, replaced him. Other personnel changes included new school board members Kenny LeMoine III and Richie Davis, who replaced resigned members Lorraine Stockbridge and Wayne LeMoine. They join George Anderson, who was re-elected for another three-year term. In un-opposed races, Gwen May was re-elected Tax Collector, and Terry Staples and Vernon Johnson were kept on the Planning Board for another three-year term each.
Discussion picked up as the meeting turned to funding issues, starting with $40,000 for Law Enforcement – a budget with $10,000 intended as reserve for a future police cruiser purchase as well as funding for training and payment for two new part-time officers. The Swan’s Island Nursery School received a budget increase of $3,000 to help cover increases in teacher costs, fuel and electricity. Other budget increases were seen in Insurance, Health Services, Cemeteries and Town Administration. The Swan’s Island Library and Museum also received an increase of $1,000, to a support level of $5,000 from the town.
Topics receiving particular attention were road maintenance and recreational opportunities. The Road Commissioner, Sonny Lawrence, explained the problems that he has been juggling including repaving, culvert clearing and guardrail placement. After extensive discussion on where funding priorities should lie, it was decided to approve the recommended amount of $60,000 ($25,000 raised from the town, and $35,000 transferred) as well as requiring Lawrence to come up with a five-year plan of priorities for the next year’s meeting.
Another discussion occurred around the budget for the Recreation committee. The committee has two major projects in the works: the restoration of the Quarry Pond as a swimming hole and the creation of a basketball court. After a lengthy discussion in which the lack of activities for the youth of the island was discussed, it was agreed that the town should strongly support the Recreation Committee’s commitment to providing activities for the younger generation. The selectmen had recommended raising $10,000 for the committee (an increase of $5,000 from the 2003 budget) but by a large vote that amount was increased to $15,000. It is hoped that the increased finding will be enough to complete the basketball court and finish the re-filling of the Quarry Pond.