Oxford Board of Selectmen

March 15, 2018

School budget

What happened: SAD 17 Superintendent Rick Colpitts outlined the school budget process and provided information on preparations for the 2018-19 spending plan.

What it means: Colpitts said the process begins with an audit to determine how much to carry over into the next year. In October, the official student population is determined to help calculate the state’s contribution to the district. From February through April, school administrators will meet with department heads and others, and in April the Budget Committee makes its recommendations and the superintendent presents the budget to the board.

What’s next: Selectmen will meet with school administrators and others April 3, along with selectmen and managers from the eight district towns, for a budget presentation. Other presentations to the towns are scheduled, including one at 7 p.m. April 5 for Oxford and Otisfield voters at the Oxford Elementary School. A districtwide budget hearing and vote will be held June 7 and a validation referendum is set for June 12.

Mass gathering permit

What happened: Mike Mayberry of Oxford Plains Speedway requested two mass gathering permits.

What it means: A town ordinance requires that gatherings of 1,000 to 4,900 people and those with 5,000 or more must be approved by selectmen. Mayberry requested permits for the Oxford 250 and for regularly scheduled races at the Route 26 track.

What’s next: Selectmen unanimously approved both permits.

County assessment

What happened: The board was asked to sign the Oxford County Assessment Return.

What it means: Oxford’s assessment is 417,936, almost 19 percent more than last year, Town Manager Butch Assselin said.

LED lights

What happened: The board was asked to authorize the town manager to submit a nonbinding letter of intent for a formal streetlight audit.

What it means: The board has been looking into an LED light conversion project with other area towns. The audit is necessary for RealTerm Energy to submit a final proposal to the town. The Annapolis, Maryland, company specializes in LED conversions for municipalities. A representative explained cost savings to officials from Oxford, Norway, Paris and Poland last month.

What’s next: Selectmen will vote later on whether to have RealTerm do the conversion.