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[Rob C - Moderator]

Budget rejected; recount likely in tax collector race

By Jillian Jorgensen
jjorgensen@eagletribune.com

DANVILLE — Voters yesterday rejected the proposed town operating budget, as well as payments toward a police station and the purchase of land in town.

There likely will be a recount in the three-way race for tax collector. It was close enough that a recount is likely this week, Town Clerk Doreen Moore said. Kimberly Burnham has 286 votes, edging out tax collector Kathleen Eid by six votes. Eid was appointed by the selectmen. A third candidate, Michele Drew, received 73 votes.

"They're given the option to ask for a recount, so Kathleen Eid has to have it in to my office by Friday to have a recount," Moore said.

Annemarie E. Inman defeated Thomas Billbrough for a three-year term on the Board of Selectmen, 342-252.

The operating budget of $2.54 million was rejected, 252-301. The town will operate under a default budget of $2.47 million, the same as last year's budget.

Voters rejected $40,000 for the new police station capital reserve fund, 306-384. The money was recommended by the Board of Selectmen and the Budget Committee. Voters also turned down the purchase of land at Main and Sweet streets that might have been used as the site of a police station. The 5-acre purchase, with a price tag of $190,000, was rejected 231-478.

Other payments also were turned down. Voters rejected $10,000 for the Long Pond Road culvert capital reserve fund, 339-366. Another article that would have put $50,000 in the Fire Department capital reserve fund also failed, 291-417, and one that would create a fire pump house at the Fire Association pond for $30,000 failed, 329-387.