A traditional toll of the bell above McCathran Hall gave way to Washington Grove's 69th annual Town Meeting last weekend.

Seated in the hall's newly purchased, cushioned chairs, about 60 residents gathered Saturday evening to hear the town's leaders review the year's developments, thank volunteers and workers, hand out awards and detail plans for the year ahead.

John Compton was elected to his seventh year as mayor, with 58 votes, David Stopak was elected with 60 votes to his second three-year term as councilman and Georgette Cole received 60 votes for her first term on the council.

Residents also voted to approve the proposed $450,458 budget and a 20.2 cent tax rate, which the council decided to lower this year to keep property taxes constant, as property values continue to rise.

This year's tax rate is 21.7 cents per $100 of assessed value.

"To most visitors, the town of Washington Grove seems like a sleepy community, where life is a little slower," the mayor began in his speech. "... But town affairs have grown increasingly more complex," as the rest of the county continues to develop.

After thanking a slew of residents -- from people who oversee Maple Lake to council members to the town's webmaster, clerk and treasurer -- Compton discussed the Town Council's work and issues still sitting before the members.

He described the ordinances the council has developed -- a zoning ordinance to restrict the development of churches, nonprofits and schools, which they hope to pass this fall, and two ordinances that would allow the mayor and council to impose fees and fines on residents who commit zoning infractions.

In January, the council, planning commission, HPC and volunteers will begin revising the master plan, a project that state law requires they tackle every 10 years.

The future of the Humpback Bridge on East Deer Park Road and of a portion of the Casey Farm near the town also remain in question, Compton said, adding that the support of residents is still needed to persuade the county not to replace the 60-year-old span or develop the field.

"We hope to prevail upon the [county] Planning Board to have [the bridge] designated a historic site," he said, referring to an upcoming hearing before the board.

After his hour-long speech, Compton presented the newest addition to the town meeting -- an award to the volunteer of the year.

"This became almost obligatory, at least from the mayor's point of view this year," he said, presenting the award to Shelley Winkler, nicknamed "Miss Meadow" for her work in trying to persuade the County Council not to develop the portion of the Casey Farm, which the town hopes to designate to Legacy Open Space.

HPC chairman Bob Booher reviewed some of the commission's actions, such as developing design guidelines for structures in town, and presented an award for the project "that best represents our principles" to Mimi Stiles, for her renovations on her 1880s home.

Planning Commission Chairman John McClelland, instead, told residents about a survey they are conducting to see how certain existing ordinances "reflect the town's feelings," among other plans.

After the speeches, the town capped the night capped off with sandwiches, beer, sodas and mingling.