HARTLAND --Voters at Saturday's town meeting will be asked to approve a budget that is down nearly $60,000 from the 2007-2008 fiscal year.This year's town meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday at the town hall.Elections will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday at the town hall.

The municipal budget proposed in the warrant will fall to $815,400 if approved by voters.That is down from $874,000 during the 2007-08 fiscal year.

With unresolved issues around school consolidation and the county jail, the town's portion of the School Administrative District 48 and Somerset County budget is very uncertain, said Town Manager Peggy Morgan.

Thus selectmen worked hard to limit municipal spending wherever possible to help soften the blow.

"We're anticipating an increase in school taxes," she said. "We said, 'Let's hammer this,' so we did. We took a very hard stand this year."

Some of the biggest cuts came from roads, where $30,000 was shaved from last year's budget, and service organizations. With a new fire truck expected to arrive in the next few weeks the article seeking to set money aside for the new truck has been eliminated, Morgan said.

Voters also will be asked to carry over $41,000 for the fire department escrow account and $53,000 for the new swimming pool, which is expected to begin operation this summer.

During Friday's election voters will choose a new selectmen for a three-year term. Mike Brown and Mike Gould are seeking the position.The vacant seat belonged to Selectman Harlow Powers, who passed away earlier this moth.

Craig Crosby--487-3288

ccrosby@centralmaine.com