BUCKSPORT — If the town is to give a financial boost to a proposed expansion of natural gas service, voters will have to give their blessing first.

At the April 19 Town Council meeting, councilors unanimously approved putting a referendum question on the June 12 ballot seeking authorization to spend up to $300,000 on a project proposed by Bangor Gas.

The Verso paper mill is currently the natural gas company’s only customer in Bucksport. The plan calls for extending lines to the downtown business area and to the public schools.

The town’s charter dictates that any expense of more than $250,000 must be approved by voters.

Original estimates indicated Bucksport would need to contribute $240,000 to the project; recently, that figure has increased to around $290,000.

Outgoing Town Manager Roger Raymond explained the money would come from the School Designated Fund Balance, a town fund created when Regional School Unit 25 was formed.

Raymond said that was an appropriate source because the schools would benefit most from the project.

That fund has a balance of nearly $868,000. If voters approve of the $300,000 question, no new money will be required from taxpayers.

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