JAY — After much discussion, voters at Town Meeting here authorized construction of a new town garage at a cost not to exceed $450,000, to be paid for over a period of five years.

Questions were raised about other options, such as contracting out road maintenance services, alternative plans for the existing building and site, and the effect on taxes.

Town Clerk Tara Morse’s calculations showed that the effect of a new garage on a property valued at $100,000 would be approximately $35 per year for the next five years.

Voters quickly got down to business Tuesday morning at 10:05 a.m. at the Jay-Westfield School by electing Fred Cushing as moderator and approving reports of town officers.

And just as quickly, things ground to a halt as they began to consider Article 3:  “To elect all necessary town officials required by law.”  No copy of Roberts Rules was available on site to assist in determining the answer to the question:  “When people present themselves as a candidate for office and briefly describe their platform, can voters ask the candidate questions?”

Town Clerk Tara Morse quickly called the secretary of state’s office and got the answer:  No.

Elected officials include Marc Burroughs-Biron, selectman for three years; Sally Rivard, school director for three years; Arlene Bosco, lister; Edna Cushing, auditor for three years; Kelly Bradley, auditor for two years; Cindy Vincent, delinquent tax collector for one year; Roger Morin, town agent and grand juror for one year; Mike Caffrey, constable for one year.

Voters approved local and Jay-Westfield School Board expenses, the Jay Fire Department appropriation, various appropriations to area agencies, the highway budget, and the selectmen’s and equipment budgets, amidst rounds of applause for the road crew’s excellent work in maintaining the roads this winter.  Also, there were questions about the selectmen’s strategy for dealing with the uncertain future cost of oil, and requests that the town repair broken mailboxes.

Voters authorized the selectmen to distribute the 2010 delinquent tax revenue as they see fit.  Proposals include purchasing a generator for the Town Hall, which would allow it to be used as an American Red Cross designated shelter and command post in an emergency, and using some funds to offset costs associated with paving the driveway of the town hall.