LIVERMORE — Selectpersons agreed Tuesday that a portable toilet will not be returned to the Round Pond boat launch.

Administrative Assistant Amy Byron said the toilet was vandalized in each of the three weeks it was out.

“It was removed by Nickersons (Septic Tank Cleaning Service),” she said. “They won’t bring it back unless we purchase it. If it is damaged, they can’t rent it to somebody else.”

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife owns the boat launch but the town of Livermore maintains it. Byron checked and learned the town does not need to have a toilet there.

“The game warden will be keeping a closer eye on the area,” she said.

Selectperson Scott Richmond said a lot of families with children use the area.

Byron said if a toilet were purchased, the highway department would have to transport it and store it when not in use.

Highway Foreman Roger Ferland said his crew trimmed all the brush away from the signs this morning so they could be easily seen.

“Recently there was a 32-foot camper parked in the turnaround down by the lake,” Ferland said. “The side piece and awning were out and a barbecue was going.”

Selectperson Wayne Timberlake said, “It’s too bad someone is ruining it.”

Selectperson Chairman Tom Gould said: “We can’t afford to throw money away on something that’s going to be vandalized. It’s unreasonable, a burden. There’s no reason for it. If the local community can somehow show they will self-police it, we can revisit this.”

Selectpersons also agreed to add an article to the June 13 town meeting warrant asking voters to approve exceeding the state’s municipal property tax limit. State law regulates the amount of money municipalities can raise through property taxes.

Byron said if all budget articles are passed as presented, the total would be about $188,800 over the state-allowed limit. The limit applies to the municipal budget. It does not include debt service, county or school taxes.

“Maintenance, the Fire Department and highway capital roads were all increased this year,” Byron said.

Gould said the capital roads budget was increased by about $200,000.

pharnden@sunmediagroup.net