Although about two dozen Alna voters approved a 2008-2009 school budget of $1.1 million, the final vote, under the new state law, will be by secret ballot on Saturday, May 24, at the Alna Meeting House, from 4 to 8 p.m.

School committee chairman, Barbara Baston was asked what would happen if the voters in the referendum vote turn down the budget?

Baston said, "We (the school committee) would have to go back and start the process over again. This is why we had our meeting in May, instead of June to allow us time, in the event the budget was rejected. If the process would require another public hearing, and another referendum vote, she said.

Moderator Chris Cooper conducted the meeting in his usual manner and style, interjecting humor, while maintaining a moderator's control of the meeting. The voters approved the school budget items with little to no comments. The last two articles on the warrant generated the most discussion.

Nearly 45 minutes of the one-and- a-half-hour meeting was devoted to discussion of $15,400 for a washer and dryer, requested by the fire department to wash and dry their turnout gear.

Selectman Brain Lawrence began the discussion by saying, "I have no problem with the fire department having a washer and dryer, but why do they need a set that costs over $15,000?"

Fire Chief Mike Trask said the machines are heavy-duty commercial units. "They are also approved FPA (Fire Protection Association) standards," he said.

A resident asked why the fire department needs a washer and dryer, since they have gotten along without one all this time.

Trask said the firefighters take their gear home to wash, and they should not be doing that.

Alna resident Nick Caristo said, "We have to consider the liability issue, with the men taking their gear home, subjecting their family to potential hazards."

Another resident said, "These men put their lives on the line 365 days a year 24 hours a day to save life and property. We didn't give them a new building, I believe we should give them the washer and dryer."

Another resident asked if they couldn't perhaps take their gear to another fire department to wash their equipment. Trask said the fire firefighters do not have the time to travel to another town wash their gear.

Someone asked why the fire department doesn't have fund-raisers to raise the money for the washer and dryer. Another resident said they do have fund-raisers, and referred to the recent Mother's Day breakfast as an example, asking people to raise their hands if they had attended. Just a few people raised their hand.

"It would take a lot of breakfasts to raise that amount of money," she said.

Rodd Wright asked why the fire department was asking for this at a special town meeting when there were only a few in attendance. Trask said the washer and dryer were included in the request at the annual town meeting with the new building that was rejected by the voters. The reason he brought it up now is because the department needs the equipment, and he didn't want to wait another year.

The voters approved the purchase in a 16-6 vote.

As a result of an amendment to the Shoreland Zone Ordinance, Alna may have a new business in the Head Tide District. The amendment will allow "limited light commercial" use in Head Tide District. It will be limited to the reuse of structures that have or have had a prior use.

According to planning board member Doug Baston, a potential buyer has plans to have an antique store at the site of the Old Head Tide Store.

Other town business approved at the special town meeting included: the election of James Bruce as a cemetery trustee; paying the town of Wiscasset $68,000 for solid waste disposal; awarding the snow plow contract to Hanley Construction for $153,000 with another $43,000 set aside for sand and salt; raising $1,000 for the treasurer's salary, $300 for the deputy treasurer's salary and $205 for the planning board secretary.

The Alna second responders, a group of volunteers currently organizing to provide support for the Alna Fire Department, is looking for volunteers, according to a written statement read by Cooper early in the meeting.

The second responders can help provide food and water for fire fighters on the scene of a fire; assist with the post-fire clean up efforts; help with building maintenance; and work on department fund-raisers. Anyone interest in volunteering is asked to come to their next meeting June 11, at the Alna fire station, at 6:30 p.m.