BOWDOINHAM

Bowdoinham Town Meeting attendees Wednesday approved a $847,596 budget that won’t increase the tax rate.

The new budget represents a $17,565 or 2 percent increase over the previous budget.

According to Town Manager Bill Post, if the state and county budgets were to stay flat, the municipal budget would actually decrease the tax rate by 33 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.

Post couldn’t estimate the tax rate because the state budget has not been finalized or the town’s valuation determined.

All proposed ordinances on the warrant were approved.

The town will now have two downtown districts, as per the town’s comprehensive plan. The changes allow for more density and smaller lot sizes and setbacks.

Definitions in the town ordinances were changed to address greenhouse and other plant-growing facilities, as well as changes in permitting.

Another ordinance allows the town more time to decide how to regulate marijuana retail operations and social clubs. The expanded moratorium on retail marijuana activities comes in the wake of last year’s Maine referendum legalizing recreational use.

According to Town Clerk Pam Ross, the meeting lasted just under an hour with 88 registered voters attending.

dmoore@timesrecord.com

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