BYRON/ROXBURY – Despite the tiny populations of these neighboring towns, the responsibilities are as great an towns 10 times their combined size. And all this costs money.

At last month’s annual town meeting, Byron Selectman Steve Duguay said he was looking into the process for deorganization.

At this week’s Byron selectmen’s meeting, Roxbury selectman Tim Gallant had another idea. Perhaps the two towns should look into combining.

He said he is checking with the state and the Maine Municipal Association to learn whether such an action is feasible, and the steps involved in a possible merger. He plans to get back to his board on Monday for further discussion.

He said he is researching actually combining the two towns into one, to be called Roxbury-Byron or Byron-Roxbury, or alternatively, combining government services, but remaining as separate towns.

Any change would require approval by townspeople.

Meanwhile, Duguay is continuing his research into deorganization. The two boards plan to meet again next month. The 2000 census showed Byron as having 121 people, Roxbury with 384. Both towns maintain a town office, fire department, cemetery associations and other services.

eadams@sunjournal.com
Carthage:

Annual town meeting coming

CARTHAGE – Selectmen are still preparing for the town’s annual meeting. They’re still not sure when it will be, perhaps by the end of the month.

Meanwhile, work continues on the warrant.

Selectman Steve Brown said three of the articles on the warrant have to do with the town’s work on its first-ever Comprehensive Plan.

He said residents will be asked to decide whether to hire a part-time code enforcement officer and whether to establish a Planning Board. Those duties have always been done by selectmen.

Residents will also have a chance to offer suggestions on what should and shouldn’t be included in the final document. An informal group of residents has been working on it for a couple of years.

Brown had hoped the plan would be ready for this year’s town meeting, but since it isn’t, he said a special town meeting may be held later in the year.

Gilead: Preparations made for bicentennial

GILEAD – Everyone, it seems, is in the mood to celebrate this tiny town’s 200th birthday. No one spoke against raising $5,000 for it at the annual town meeting last month, said Administrative Assistant Beverley Corriveau.

And now, the Board of Selectmen is looking for about a dozen volunteers to serve on the Bicentennial Committee. The town’s three selectmen, Fernand Corriveau, Arthur “Joe” Taylor and Gerald “Jay” Milot, as well as Beverley Corriveau will serve on the committee. Anyone else interested in planning next year’s events is welcome to contact the town office or one of the selectmen.

The first meeting has been tentatively set for June 7 at the town hall. Further details will become available later.

Corriveau said officers for the ad hoc committee will be chosen, and ideas will be tossed around. Whether the town will have one big party, or a series of events throughout 2004 may also be decided.

Along with the $5,000 raised by townspeople, a series of fund-raisers will also be held to gather more money for the big event.

Gilead was incorporated on June 23, 1904. Its population is 156.

eadams@sunjournal.com
Carthage:

Bridge being replaced

CARTHAGE – Within the next few weeks, work will begin on the replacement of the upper bridge along Route 142.

The $675,000 Maine Department of Transportation project will be done by A&V Construction of Jay.

Selectman Steve Brown said an alternative, temporary bridge will be installed on the downstream side of Webb River while the bridge is being replaced.

The so-called lower bridge, also along Route. 142, over the Webb River, was replaced a couple of years ago.

eadams@sunjournal.com