EAST MILLINOCKET — With little opposition, residents Tuesday ratified an agreement settling a multimillion dollar tax dispute between the town and Great Northern Paper Co.

The agreement is expected to be signed by town and company officials on Nov. 29.

There was no discussion from the nearly 75 people who turned out for the special town meeting.

Officials said ratification of the Nov. 8 referendum results, where residents authorized selectmen to enter the agreement by a vote of 689-385, means the town will not have to spend money for legal fees to get a court decision, should anyone challenge that vote in the future.

Residents also approved transferring to surplus the unexpended balance in the tax dispute defense fund. The unexpended balance of the $200,000 raised in a special town meeting earlier this year is $113,324.

In another item, voters rescinded action taken at the May town meeting where residents agreed to apply all surplus in excess of $500,000 to reduce the 1994 tax commitment. Instead, residents authorized selectmen to apply any surplus in excess of $100,000 to reduce the 1994 tax commitment.

In order for the town to meet the terms of the tax dispute agreement, it must apply most of its surplus toward the already approved town and school budgets to meet the $4 million cap for this year.

Also, residents approved a zoning change, from residential to commercial, for a parcel of property located at 17 Main St. The property now is zoned for residential use and is used as a funeral home.