LIVERMORE — At the Monday night selectpersons meeting, a new school board member was elected, a presentation on costs to train first responders was heard and residents were reminded that it is illegal to plow across the road.

The selectmen unanimously voted to have Mark Holt fill the vacant Regional School Unit 73 school board seat. The position had been filled by Diane Gould, who was killed in an automobile accident in January.

Holt said, “it will be eye opening.” He doesn’t have any agenda and just plans to see what’s happening.

A presentation was given by Ben Guild, a licensed instructor with Tri-Star EMS. He was asked by Donald Castonguay to spearhead the development of a secondary responding service that would provide backup for NorthStar Ambulance.

Guild told selectpersons the town was responding to a lot of requests for assistance when NorthStar is busy handling other calls. There are only three licensed EMTs associated with the town’s volunteer Fire Department. When they aren’t available, it can get sticky if calls come in for the seriously injured, cardiac arrests or unresponsive patients. NorthStar is being asked to do more Portland transfers now that Franklin Memorial Hospital is affiliated with Maine Health.

Guild said there would be one-time costs of about $610 per student for training. Those costs include $420 for the initial EMS license class, $125 for books, and $65 for the state-required written exam. Other expenses include an estimated $200 per year for the department to be licensed.

Jay and Livermore Falls are licensed and the Jay department saved a life within the first few months of doing so.

NorthStar would provide any medical equipment needed at no cost. The department would not become a transporting EMS service. Trainees will need their backgrounds checked.

Guild anticipates the department would have a total of seven licensed responders if four members complete the training. He said the training sessions could be open to the public or other departments since up to 15 students may be trained at once.

Selectperson Rod Newman suggested seeing if some in the Highway Department might be interested since they are in town all day.

Guild said, “the more people available, the better.” He also suggested holding a second training if there is enough interest.

Donald Castonguay told selectpersons the training fees must be paid up front. “By the time we get started, it will be in the next budget year,” he said. The Fire Department’s budget for next year reflects the expense.

In other business, administrative assistant Carrie Castonguay pointed out that it is illegal to plow snow across a road. The fine is $153 and while she recognizes the difficulties caused by recent snow storms, people will have to find another place to put the snow. Castonguay also said nomination papers will be available on March 16 and must be turned in by April 24.