Present: Selectmen Harris, Willey and Jones. Admin. Ass't. DJ Curtis, Clerk Jane Gibbons, Fire Station Building Committee: Wolfgang Duve and Patrick Wood, Budget Committee Carroll Murphy and Warren Noble, Fire Chief C. Wayne Miller, Ron Kiesman surveyor/911 addresses

Meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. by Selectman Harris with the Pledge of Allegiance.

DJ Curtis presented material concerning the current budget problems caused by the drastic reduction of State subsidy for Tree Growth Tax Law. In 2006 the Town was overpaid $10,000. We had anticipated 25,000 in 2007, but were only granted 6,000. The state has changed the formula and when the town

reevaluation was done our subsidy was reduced. The formula for Sweden is based on Oxford County figures. We anticipate that next year we will receive

$7,000. We can either ignore the LD1 limit (recommended by our assessor) or present an article to exceed the limit to be voted on at our Town Meeting

(recommendation of MMA). We can either take the difference from surplus or have an article to exceed the limit. For 2007 the $15,000 difference will

come out of overlay. This means that we would not be putting this amount into surplus. DJ presented Plan A which would exceed LD1.

Article 3 - The petition concerning election of officers was for 3 years. Approved 3-0.

Article 5h - "Compensation 3.5% increase for Town Administrative Assistant". Approved 3-0.

Article 6 - "Up to $1,200 from surplus for interest on tax anticipation borrowing". Approved 3-0.

Article 8 - "Maintenance of roads $42,000 (increase of 3,000 over last year)". Approved 3-0.

Article 9 - Snow removal has a two part alternative depending on passage of Article 4: " If it does not pass take 10,000 from surplus and appropriate $102,000. It is does pass appropriate $112,000." Approved 3-0. Need to check on projected costs for next year.

Article 10 - "Rubbish removal/dump operation - $46,500." Approved 3-0, (Mr. Adamson has not responded to requests that he attend a Selectmen's meeting to discuss anticipated contract.)

Article 11  - "Spring or fall metal pick-up." Wording to show OR not both. Approved 1,500. 3-0.

Article 14 - "Sweden Volunteer Fire Department Association $25,809". There are now 26 fire fighters. Mr. Willey abstained. Approved 2-0.

Article 15 - Fire Department Building Committee requested $10,000 for working up blue prints in order to estimate costs of their projected building. The

article to read "To see what sum the town will raise or appropriate or take from surplus to fund a Sweden Fire Department Building Committee." The

Article 18 - "Lovell Recreation - $650." Commission had requested $750. Forty-eight Sweden children participate in their programs. Change in article to read "Selectmen recommend $750." Approved 3-0.

Article 21 - "Harvest Hills (Assessment based on population of town) $350". Approved 3-0.

Article 25 - "Excise tax" to use not more than $45,000 toward above articles. Approved 3-0

Article 26 - "Tree Growth" to use not more than $7,900 toward above articles. Approved 3-0.

Article 32 - Acquiring property for non-payment of taxes: change wording to include "and by other judicial process,"

Article 34 - "Take $10,000 from surplus for funding for Capital projects on state roads and allow carry-over". Approved 3-0

Article 35 - Change wording: "To see if the Town will take from surplus $2,500 to fund the contingency fund". Approved 3-0.

Article 36 - "Apply property tax payments to the oldest outstanding taxes before paying current year taxes". Approved 3-0

Ron Kiesman stated that the salt shed survey has been recorded 12/27/2006. He asked for $18.00 to compensate for expenses. He also asked for copy paper, envelopes, and stamps.

There was discussion about property owned by town and whether it should be sold. It was decided that it could be advertised with other properties such

as the Knights Hill Road property when that is owned by the town. It was suggested that advertisement could include words that the closing costs must

Mr. Duve told about a mix-up in the property purchased for the Fire Station. More land is needed for turning the trucks. A swap of property with Scott

Valley will be suggested. The town will need to pay for another plot survey and recording fees.

Mr. Gary MacDonald of the SAD 72 was slated to appear at 7 P.M. He did not appear due to health reasons. (Point of information: The cancellation was

sent by email to the town office on Monday proceeding, but not read or relayed to the Selectmen before the meeting.)