Nomination papers require that candidates get the signatures of 25 registered voters.
By Jim Smedley
Staff Writer

NORWAY – Selectmen regretfully accepted the resignation due to illness of John Akin from the board on Thursday night.

Akin’s resignation opens a selectman’s seat for a two-year term in addition to the three-year one already available with the expiration of Russell Newcomb’s term.

Town Clerk Shirley Boyce said anyone interested in running for either position must clearly delineate his/her preference.

If anyone has already turned in nomination papers for the three-year position and would rather seek the two-year spot, they must file a new set of nomination papers.

Nomination papers require that candidates get the signatures of 25 registered voters to run. The papers for both positions are available at the town office and are due back by April 28.

Selectmen also agreed to add a warrant item for $4,435 to pay craftsman Jim Bryant for his work on the clock in the tower of the Opera House block.

Bryant said that he was “out on a limb” and not the selectmen because he did the repairs without approval, but the clock needed work.

He has already spent $3,850 to repair the striking gears of the clock and is asking for another $400 to repair the drive shaft and $185 for lighting.

Selectman George Tibbetts Jr. said he favored putting the cost of the repairs on a warrant article as long as Bryant would come to town meeting to explain the repairs and why he proceeded with them.

Bryant agreed.

Selectmen also approved nine people to serve on the Budget Committee sending an invitation to others to join. Selectman William Damon said that any taxpayer in Norway was welcome to join the committee.

Newcomb asked committee workers present for suggestions to make the committee work better or a way to attract more members.

Town Manager David Holt remembered that the budget committee used to have as many as 25 members.

The first meeting of the budget committee will be at 7 p.m. April 8 at the town office.

Selectmen also approved setting April 17 for a special town meeting to approve two block grants and accept partial funding for the Main Street Kiosk.

One of the Community Development Block Grants would be to secure funding to provide business loans. The other block grant would be used for home repair in Oxford County.

jsmedley@sunjournal.com