Buckfield Board of Selectmen

Feb. 20, 2018

Buckfield Municipal Center

Meeting

What happened: Interim Town Manager Glen Holmes told selectmen he met with incoming Town Manager Joe Roach for 2 1/2 hours recently to get Roach caught up on what is happening in Buckfield.

What it means: “He’s excited to be here,” Holmes said. “I think you guys did a great job with the new town manager. He is really grounded and has a good idea of what the town really needs.” Selectboard Chair Maida DeMers-Dobson thanked Holmes, who previously served as Buckfield town manager, for his work after former interim Town Manager Brad Plante’s contract was up in January. Plante was hired in August 2017 after former Town Manager Cindy Dunn resigned from that position but stayed on as town clerk.

What’s next: Roach begins work as Buckfield’s town manager Friday.

Bridge replacement

What happened: Selectmen voted unanimously to seek requests for proposals for engineering for the Shed Hollow Road Bridge replacement project.

What it means: The bridge spanning Darnit Brook was already proposed for replacement because it has created a crossing barrier for trout. It washed away in a Oct. 31, 2017, rain storm. Holmes read part of a letter from Ferg Lea of the Androscoggin River Watershed Council stating he had heard from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that the project could receive between $25,000 and $40,000 in grant money. 

What’s next: While other proposals are sought, students from The University of Maine will continue their preliminary design work for the new bridge.

Trash compactor

What happened: Holmes told selectmen the trash compactor at the transfer station has been fixed. In turn, selectmen set a meeting with Sumner selectmen, as both boards make up the Buckfield-Sumner Solid Waste Committee.

What it means: The drive motor and another piece inside of the engine failed and had to be replaced. Holmes recommended to replace the piece of equipment soon as possible. The compactor has been in use since 1986 and repaired a number of times over the years.

What’s next: The joint meeting between the two boards of selectmen is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. March 13 at the Sumner Town Office.

County taxes

What happened: Holmes announced the town’s contribution to the 2018 county budget increased by aboput $21.500.

What it means: Buckfield will pay $123,452 to Oxford County for the year. For 2017, the town paid $101,968. In correspondence with the town, Oxford County Administrator Scott Cole noted part of the increase is due to ongoing Oxford County Jail funding issues and decreasing state contributions.

BVC agreement 

What happened: Selectmen were handed an updated agreement for secretarial services with the Buckfield Village Corp.

What it means: For years, the water district has paid for secretary services from town office staff and for fiscal 2019 proposed paying $5,500. The administrative agreement covers a number of duties ranging from preparing water bills to processing bills to working with BVC auditors annually to prepare the annual audit. The previous Board of Selectmen wanted to look at the agreement more closely, which prompted a cost analysis and other discussion on the matter.

What’s next: Selectmen, along with Roach, will meet with BVC officials to discuss the agreement.

Roads posted

What happened: Holmes announced the roads will be posted Wednesday by Highway Foreman Tyler Belanger.

What it means: Weight limits are posted on roads every spring to keep heavy vehicles from driving on and damaging them.