Board: Sabattus Selectmen

Met: Tuesday night

Town manager another year

Issue: Town Manager Rick Bates’ one-year contract was up in February. He was new to the town last year, hired under a unique arrangement in which Sabattus contracted for staff with Municipal Resources Inc. of New Hampshire.

The scoop: Bates works 24 hours a week. MRI receives up to $90,000 annually from Sabattus. Selectmen voted 3-2 to extend the same contract one more year. Ronda Fournier, Michelle Ames and Scott Lansley voted in favor. Mark Duquette and Andre Marquis were opposed.

Up next: Bates said in an email Thursday: “There was no discussion and I am a little surprised, however I believe it has little to do with performance and more to do with the feeling that MRI has done what the town needs and it is time to consider a (full-time) manager. I believe that we have accomplished a lot and another year would position Sabattus to do a successful recruitment if that is what they decide.”

Police alternatives?

Issue: Longtime police Chief Thomas Fales is retiring in June.

The scoop: The town has decided to look at its options to see if changes to the force could save money.

Up next: Selectmen voted unanimously to explore contracting with Lisbon for a police chief or consolidating the force entirely with that town.

Odds and ends

Issue: The warrant has been set for town meeting, June 4. Copies are being printed and assembled in-house to save money.

Issue: A public hearing on possible changes to the site plan review ordinance is planned for the next selectmen’s meeting, May 17. A proposed change will appear on the warrant.

Issue: Sabattus is due to have Smart Meters installed by Central Maine Power in early June. Customers with questions about the meters can contact CMP’s Suzanne Bussiere at 753-3121.

Issue: The next Sabattus Fun Fest, the annual barbecue and community celebration, is scheduled for July 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the town office.

Staff writer Kathryn Skelton can be reached at 689-2844 or kskelton@sunjournal.com