The Martell Town Board worked efficiently through its agenda last Tuesday night, finishing up with a review of the 2021 budget.

The historic Martell town Hall building has received some care, with a new roof being finished.

“They still need to shingle the porch,” said Supervisor Dale Olson.

On the budget front, Supervisor John Worsing said that the cost for fire protection is expected to increase $1,233. He suggested holding the budget the same as last year, with the addition of that fire increase, as well as money for roads and any salary increases.

“We don’t have any money to play with,” said Worsing. “Make it easy. Keep everything the same as last year except for the fire increase. Whatever balance we have left, put it to roads.”

Projected property taxes under budget are expected at $322,204, up from $317,613 this year.

Total expenditures under the 2020 budget were $594,029.70, and as of this month, $499,513.32 has been expensed.

It was also noted that a new part-time person is needed to help plow snow.

“Do we have anyone in mind for that?” Town Chairman Brad Taplin asked. “Ask around a little bit. Otherwise we’ll have to put an ad in the paper.”

‘The biggest thing with that job is knowing where the ditches are,” said Taplin.

“The deep ditches, not the shallow ones,” said Olson.

Town Clerk Sara Cardwell reported that new voting machines have been received through grant funding and election workers are being trained on their use. She said she received correspondence that there are 939 people of voting age in Martell.

“To date, I’ve sent out 209 absentee ballots,” she said of the Nov. 3 Presidential Election. “We could still have close to 700 at the polls.”

Photo by John McLoone.