DRESDEN — Voters in Dresden approved the $1.78 million municipal budget at the annual town meeting on Tuesday night without any adjustments to the spending plan that is $40,000 more than the current fiscal year.

Around 55 residents gathered at Dresden Elementary School on a warm Tuesday evening and passed the municipal budget in around an hour and a half without any adjustments or changes to the warrant articles.

The town plans to raise and appropriate the entire $1.78 million municipal budget without help from carryover funds.

Dresden residents will additionally be responsible for paying the town’s $2.3 million portion of the $29.9 million Regional School Unit 2 budget and the town’s portion of the Lincoln County budget.

According to Dresden’s audit for the fiscal year ending in 2023, the town collected $2.6 million in property taxes; $362,300 in excise taxes; $471,010 in intergovernmental revenues; $72,766 in miscellaneous revenues; and $39,377 in investment incomes for a total revenue of $3,555,913. With the county tax, municipal budget and Regional School Unit 2 budget, the town paid $3,199,637 in expenditures for the 2022-23 fiscal year.

Though there were no changes or adjustments made to the warrant articles, residents still had questions and generated discussion over budget items.

Tom Cowing wondered why the cost to maintain the town’s cemeteries went from $12,000 to $8,900, which the town Select Board explained is because in the previous fiscal year, the board added $2,000 to the cemetery account and brought the spending back down this upcoming fiscal year.

Cowing explained that prices are getting higher to maintain the town’s cemeteries, especially for lawn maintenance that can be around $5,000, but because residents could not increase the overall spending plan without taking money from a different article, no adjustments were made.

“The old maple tree is ready to fall and if it does, it could damage the headstones,” he said.

Another resident questioned the municipal building account that asked residents to raise and appropriate $61,300 for the town’s buildings. Lisa Hewitt, the town’s third selectman, said the town intends to put together a plan for building maintenance and address concerns with the amount of money raised.

Among the warrant items approved by the town were: $216,445 for capital improvements; $456,500 for the highway account; $145,651 for the protection services that include the ambulance service and fire department; $35,000 for the solid waste account; $158,500 for the town administration; and $275,500 for town salaries.

Two of the warrant articles — for the elected positions and the moratorium ordinance — were previously voted on last week by secret ballot. The moratorium passed and delays all quarrying or mining in town for 180 days. Gary Getchell was elected first selectman.

In the annual town report, 12 births were registered in Dresden from 2022-23 along with 14 marriages and 19 deaths.

The current fiscal year ends on June 30.

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