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Fairfield council signs warrant for June 9 MSAD No.49 budget referendum; town manager warns of higher mill rate
Summary
The Fairfield Town Council on May 27 signed the warrant for a June 9 budget validation referendum for MSAD No.49, with the town manager saying Fairfield's share is $1,104,591.31 and that a drop in state funding would push the projected mill rate to about 22.82 from 19.4.
The Fairfield Town Council on May 27 signed the Warrant and Notice of Election for a June 9 budget validation referendum for MSAD No.49, a move town officials said could raise local property taxes if voters approve the proposed district budget.
Town Manager Flewelling told the council Fairfield’s share of the MSAD No.49 budget is $1,104,591.31, a figure she said stems primarily from a $3,446,165.87 reduction in state funding to the district. Flewelling said the change would produce a projected municipal mill rate of roughly 22.82, up from the current 19.4.
The council unanimously adopted the motion to sign the warrant. Councilor Stephanie Thibodeau made the motion and Councilor Peter Lawrence seconded; the vote carried 5-0.
Why it matters: The referendum will determine whether the school district’s proposed budget stands. Secretary Kevin Kitchin told the council that if voters reject the proposed budget, the district continues collecting the proposed amount until a new budget is approved, effectively maintaining the higher assessment until a replacement plan passes.
Key procedural details: The town’s public materials note absentee ballot request deadlines and office hours: the deadline to request an absentee ballot is Thursday, June 4 at 4:30 p.m.; the Town Office will open Monday, June 1 from 5:00–7:00 p.m. for voter registration only (citing Title 21-A M.R.S. §122(6)(A)(2)); special-circumstance absentee ballots are available beginning Friday, June 5 and through Election Day. Polls will be open June 9 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Fairfield Community Center, 61 Water Street.
What’s next: Voters will cast ballots on June 9. If the referendum fails, the district’s proposed budget amount remains in effect until councilors and the district adopt an alternative. The council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for June 10, 2026.
