Paris Board of Selectmen

Nov. 27, 2017

Paris Town Office

Fox School

What happened: Town Manager Vic Hodgkins told selectmen Avesta Housing will soon close on the sale of the Mildred M. Fox School and selectmen approved him signing the closing papers.

What it means: Due to pending tax law changes and the possible effects on tax credits, the nonprofit wants to close the sale by the end of the calendar year. In August 2016, Avesta Housing agreed to purchase the three-story historic brick building on East Main Street for $125,000 and turn it into low-income senior housing.

What’s next: The building, which was most recently home to the Oxford Hills Christian Academy, will be on the town’s tax rolls once remodeled.

TIF

What happened: Selectmen directed Hodgkins to ask Mia Purcell of Community Concepts Finance Corp. to attend a meeting with them and the Economic Development Committee about the basics of tax increment financing districts.

What it means: Last year, the board hired Matt Eddy, the former economic development director for Kennebunk, to examine the town’s TIF district, which is along Route 26. Selectmen recently decided they don’t understand what a TIF is and wanted a crash course on the matter and how it can benefit Paris.

What’s next: Hodgkins will inform selectmen if Purcell will meet with them. Once the board gets a direction it wants to go in regarding TIFs, Eddy could be requested for another meeting with selectmen since he could identify an area for another or an expanded TIF.

Chamber membership

What happened: Selectmen voted to rejoin the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce if an article about the town of Paris could be penned in the chamber’s annual magazine.

What it means: Rejoining the chamber was examined by the Economic Development Committee. Last year, selectmen opted to not renew the town’s membership with the chamber, but have since revisited the issue.

What’s next: Selectman John Andrews will contact chamber Executive Director John Williams about the article request and membership.

New employees

What happened: Hodgkins announced Highway Director Jamie Hutchinson hired two highway crew members.

What it means: The new employees are Tim Hutchinson, who is Jamie Hutchinson’s son, and Benjamin Leonard. The Highway Department has been short-staffed all season and is finally at its full seven-member crew. Hodgkins thanked the two for joining their ranks and commended the core crew for getting so much accomplished while understaffed.

What’s next: The town may look for additional help for the Highway Department during the winter season.

KBS meeting

What happened: Hodgkins, Purcell of Community Concepts Finance Corp. and Diane Jackson with the state met with the management of KBS Builders Inc. on Nov. 17 to learn about the challenges and successes of their business.

What it means: The two-hour meeting consisted of a roundtable discussion and tour of the facility.

What’s next: On Wednesday, Hodgkins, Purcell and Jackson are scheduled to meet with Bancroft Contracting Corporation, CN Brown and Maine Machine officials.

Resignations

What happened: Selectmen accepted the resignations of three Parks and Recreation Committee members and thanked them for their service.

What it means: The resignations were for Linda and Richard Record and Bill Cook. Selectman Gary Vaughn reiterated his desire to look at the town’s committees and boards and garner more members for those that need them.

What’s next: There are openings on the Parks and Recreation Committee and anyone interested in serving can visit the Town Office at 33 Market Square. Hodgkins, Vaughn and possibly Town Clerk Liz Knox will meet soon to review the committees.

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