Rome Town Meeting, election is March 9, 10

ROME — Rome’s 2018 annual town election is Friday, March 9, and Town Meeting is Saturday, March 9 and 10.
The election will be from noon to 8 p.m. Friday at the Rome Community Center, the ballot will include elected officials and consider one referendum question. The Town Meeting is at 10 a.m. at the community center, where residents will consider making a number of elective positions appointed instead.

Offices up for election include one-year terms for first, second and third selectmen, town clerk, treasurer, tax collector and road commissioner, as well as a three-year term on the RSU 18 School Board of Directors.
The one referendum question asks voters to consider raising and appropriating $315,000 for paving and reconstructing North Pond Road. The project would complete the entire length of the road within town limits.
During town meeting, there will be a total of 59 articles to consider; three articles presented will ask voters to consider changing the positions of town clerk, treasurer and tax collector from elective to appointed (hired) positions.
The proposal put forth by a unanimous vote of the board of selectmen and supported by the budget committee will add convenience for those paying taxes by implementing a consistent expanded schedule for public access to the Town Office, town officials said. The proposal also carries the support of the town’s auditing firm, RHR Smith & Co.
The transition would also create stronger checks and balances, while implementing better contingency plans. The town would be able to run background checks and verify employment qualifications.
There would be enhanced accountability and stronger performance management. The board understands the importance of growing expertise in the technical fields of municipal accounting, elections and other municipal-specific tasks. It is important that, in the best interest of the town, qualified employees are selected.
In the event voters support the proposal, the changes would not take effect until after Town Meeting 2019. More information is available with the board of selectmen during their regular meetings, or can be obtained through discussion at the tow meeting. The board cites the importance of protecting the town’s best interests in the long-term and that decisions such as this are made proactively.
Other considerations at the annual town meeting include $30,000 for the regular maintenance of the town-maintained roads and bridges, $67,750 for the annual snow plow contract, $43,000 for solid waste disposal, $98,905 in town salaries, among others. If all items are approved, the municipal budget is forecasted to increase by approximately $24,600.