By MARGARET B. SPROTT
Camden Bureau

ELGIN

Elgin voters soon may have a chance to voice their opinion to the town council in a referendum about town business.

No date had been set for the referendum by late Tuesday, but the council discussed its goals extensively.

“We need to know how the people feel,” said councilman Brice Smith, who presented possible questions for the referendum to the council Tuesday night.

Residents first would have the choice of whether they want to add a man to Elgin’s one-man police force.

The next question on the proposed referendum would be whether the voters want to increase their taxes to support another policeman.

Town Auditor William Bodie said the town would need an additional $6,000 or $7,000 each year for a second policeman.

Two other councilment, Mike Gilchrist and Roger Ross, said they were elected on platforms that they would hold a referendum on any tax increase before they passed it.

The referendum also would ask whether the voters want and ordinance providing for the removal of elected officials, or a recall.

Smith told the council that he talked with the state attorney general’s office Tuesday. Its preliminary report was that if the town established an ordinance for the procedures to remove an official, then if those procedures are followed, such a removal would be “perfectly legal,”Smith said.

The office will follow up on his question and send him a report, Smith said. Those who would like to change the name of the town back to Blaney also would have their chance to speak on teh referendum.

The town’s name was changed to Elgin several years ago when the Elgin company opened a watch plant near the town. The watch plant has ince closed and is now occupied by B. F. Goodrich.

The referendum also would ask residents:

✓ Whether they want to expand the town limits.

✓ Whether they want sidewalks along White Pond Road where the elementary school crossing guard is located.

✓ Whether they want a two-year term of office for elected officials.

✓ Whether they want nights meeting only for regular mettings or the town council.

Council Member Loretta V. Carr said the voters should be notified that the addition of a policeman could double their taxes.

“The referendum should include that we will have to double taxes to meet those expenses,” Mrs. Carr said.