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BY MECHELE COOPER
Staff Writer 07/24/2008

RANDOLPH -- Residents at the annual town meeting Wednesday were all in favor of saving tax dollars.

Voters sided with the Budget Committee on most items, but were unwilling to give up their library service.

Selectmen had recommended $15,692 for library use, which was what the Gardiner Public Library requested for Randolph residents to use the service. The Budget Committee asked for only $5,000, to be set aside for a voucher system to reimburse people who wish to use the library.

"Farmingdale did try (the voucher system) and it went from a large amount of usage to pretty much nothing, and I think that's a shame," Ann Davis, library director, said.

Voters also went along with the Budget Committee to reduce the amount raised for resurfacing streets and sidewalks; for a dedicated account for public works vehicle replacement; for townwide trash pickup; and for a capital improvement account.

But they wouldn't part with the way their town newsletter -- which is mailed to Randolph households -- or their Web site has been managed for years.

Peter Coughlan, vice chairman of the Budget Committee, has been editor of the newsletter for 20 years and has managed the Web site for five years.

Selectmen recommended spending $1,635 to issue the newsletter three times per year; the Budget Committee reduced that to $1,000 for two per year.

Selectmen also recommended $821 to operate the Web site; the Budget Committee recommended no money and instead proposed having the site be managed by Town Office staff.

Coughlan said it costs $700 for each issue of the newsletter, which is issued two or three times a year. What the Budget Committee recommended wouldn't have been enough, he said

As for the Web site, he said giving it over to the Town Office staff wouldn't have been a savings.

"If it ain't broke, why fix it?" Coughlan said.

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, Ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com

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