Dallas Plantation approves FY 2026–27 appropriations, funds forest fire escrow, road projects and truck purchase

Dallas Plantation voters on June 12 approved the fiscal year July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027 appropriations package, including targeted funds for emergency response, road maintenance and equipment purchases.

The meeting accepted a series of budget articles and individual account appropriations following Budget Committee recommendations. Voters approved a $15,000 contribution to the Forest Fire Escrow Account and a $40,000 raise for the Road Projects Account; LRAP funds of approximately $15,740 were noted as part of road project funding. The Truck Purchase Account was funded with $30,000 toward a longer-term goal of $300,000 for vehicle replacement and capital equipment.

The Budget Committee’s recommended total for salaries and stipends was accepted. For elected and appointed officers the committee recommended raising $116,537; the meeting approved the article on a motion by Mark Bridges, seconded by Elizabeth Flynn. Other personnel and payroll-related articles were handled in sequence: payroll taxes and related employer contributions, employee benefits funding, and the Employee Training account (the latter was passed over with no new funding requested).

Voters also approved recurring service payments and interlocal charges consistent with the presented budgets: $168,293.90 for services provided by the Town of Rangeley (solid waste and fire protection) and $43,991 for North Star Ambulance Service. The Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) assessment fee of $49,230 was approved. The meeting approved a $12,610 appropriation for audit services and increased the Surplus Account by $25,000.

Donation requests to local organizations were considered as separate articles and most were approved: Rangeley Public Library ($12,471), Rangeley Health Ride ($2,500), Rangeley Lakes Cross Country Ski Club ($2,500), Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust ($4,050), Rangeley Region Health and Wellness Partnership ($5,000), fireworks and park support ($500 each), Maine Forestry Museum ($1,100), Rangeley Region Chamber of Commerce (amended and approved at $2,500), Rangeley Town House Meal Site ($3,000), WRGY ($2,500), Rangeley Family Medicine ($1,500) and Rangeley Friends of the Arts ($1,500). Two donation articles were passed over per floor motions (Oquossoc ATV Club; Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club).

Several procedural and statutory authorizations were also approved in an omnibus motion accepting Articles 6–15: authority to carry forward account balances; charging interest on overdue real estate taxes (statutory maximum 7%); payment of 4% interest on tax abatements from the overlay; procedures for selling tax-acquired property (including following 36 M.R.S. §943‑C for qualifying homesteads); and authority for Assessors to apply for and accept grant and other outside funds under Title 30‑A §5682.

The meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m. and the results were attested by Clerk Katrina Gacki on June 23, 2026.