BETHEL — The Bethel Board of Selectmen  discussed changing the town office hours to 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during its August 2 meeting. Those who work at the town offices argued the five extra unpaid hours were time not well spent, and could be condensed with no lunch break.

Selectwoman Lori T. Swain said according to Maine law if an employee works six hours a day, they are required to take a 30-minute break. Town employees said it was busiest during the lunch hour rush. It was decided to have the employees talk with an HR representative.

Jean Benedict from the Rotary Club gave an update on the 5K run September 19. She said the race is still happening on Valentine Farm. It will start at 7 and end at 11:30 a.m, going through the Valentine Trial, extending through the airplane station and basketball courts. She confirmed there will be plenty of volunteers to watch the roads the runners will be crossing.

After selectman looked at the Ethel Bisbee building, they decided it was uninhabitable and not fit for any use.  It would need to be torn down, not remodeled, the selectman agreed. Since the building is owned by the town, it was questioned what happens to the building if the town has no use for it. Selectman Lloyd W. Sweetser said it was originally owned by Northeast Bank Corp Bank so it would go back to them.

In other news, the Bethel Historical Society would like to make The Common an internet hot spot. They will provide the internet in the zone if the selectman can help with the electrical work. The selectman agreed there was nothing wrong with that proposal.

There will be a public hearing September 7,  at 5:30 p.m., regarding future select board meetings. Selectmen will decide if the meeting will be held virtually, via zoom, in addition to the in-person meetings, or only in-person with virtual meetings held for emergency meetings only.