BETHEL — Bethel selectmen appointed Randy Thurston code enforcement officer (CEO) for the town at the Monday, Feb. 7 meeting, along with Courtney McPherson as the town’s new planning assistant.

Increased fees, committee appointments, new victualer licenses, changes to the marijuana ordinance, and approval of a junior EMS program at Telstar were amongst the other items the board dealt with at its its three-hour meeting.

Interim CEO Joelle Corey proposed a revised fee structure for construction and remodeling permits. The new fees will be changed to a square footage system instead of the flat $200 fee used now. Corey walked the board through several examples, pointing out that other towns now use the itemized, square-foot model including Newry.

Other town fees were reviewed. Dump stickers will now cost $5. Disposal fees were also discussed. “If we have to pay $400/ton” to dispose of tires,” said Scott Sumner, director of public works. “We need to adjust our pricing, or we don’t take them.”

“If we don’t take them,” said Selectwoman Lori Swain, “they wind up on the side of the road.” Car tires will remain $3, but fees for larger, specialty tires will be increased.

“We’ve been looking at the fees for a long time,” said Swain. “I think it’s time we do it.” These changes will be reviewed with the two other towns on the Tri-Town Waste Committee.

The board also reviewed a draft request for solid waste proposals, which raised a number of questions not covered by the RFP. Will the contractor handle calls? Will they maintain the equipment? Can they charge additional fees? How will this affect Tri-Town committee agreement? The board agreed the committee should address these questions and revise the RFP.

Mike Everett made a request to have his status changed from Caregiver to Dispensary, which prompted extensive and detailed discussion of the fee schedule, as the town’s marijuana fees were on the table as well.

It was reported that Greenwood is proposing a $15,000 fee for a medical dispensary at its town meeting. Selectwoman Patricia McCartney remembered that the town was initially worried about having too many. If that’s the issue, she said, we should limit the number rather than use the fee on current dispensaries to discourage future ones.

The selectboard asked Everett what he thought a more reasonable slate of fees would be. He currently pays $5,700 for all locations, he said.

“It is state law that the fees are only to cover your costs to administer, not to make money on,” said Everett. “As a taxpayer, I am asking to be treated fairly. I employ a lot of people, and I feel that you are singling me out because it’s marijuana and you think there’s tons of money.”

The town attorney is reviewing the revised fee. Everett withdrew his application to change to dispensary until the fee issue is settled.

In other business, Tim Bennett was named to the capital improvement committee for a one-year term, although there was some concern that “he’s on a lot of committees.” Bennett also serves on Budget, OCR, Bingham Forest, Planning, and Airport committees.

“He has a lot of energy,” someone interjected. Benjamin Allen was added to Ordinance Review subcommittee for solar and wind, which is close to wrapping up its work. There are still unfilled openings on the airport committee.

The board approved a junior EMS program at Telstar, working with ambulance team. Students can shadow and see if that’s a field they might want to go into. The program was reviewed by the insurance company and town attorney and the select board approved. There is one student this term, but the program will be reviewed yearly.

Gabe Perkins from Inland Woods and Trails requested a letter of support from the town as part of a Partnership Grant application to purchase equipment that could be used year-round to manage recreation trails in the Community Forest and for rescue efforts.

In waste water updates, Bethel has joined the CDC COVID monitoring project. Once three samples are sent, the CDC share data from other plants with Bethel. The federal study has roughly 500 plants participating. “The freezing weather has been really killing us,” said Waste Water Superintendent Jeff Warden.

The board considered engineering proposals to inspect several town properties, including the Cole Block on Main St. and the Ethel Bisbee School on Philbrook St.

The airport authority meets Wednesday and will discuss the appraisal of 4.31-acre lot that includes the  adjacent Harrrington barn on North Road. The airport beacon also needs repairs. Public works still needs mechanic.

Victualer licenses were granted to Wild River Kitchen, the new food truck at Carter’s Ski Center and a renewal for Frank’s New York diner.

Town Manager Loretta Powers reported that there is a new Maine tax referral program for seniors, disabled, and low-income residents. Planting the median on cross street, resuming the Mountain Explorer shuttle if they can hire drivers, and whether Telstar can store desks and chairs at Bisbee school.

Town Clerk Christen Mason reported 36 foreclosures for FY20 taxes, and three payments have come in since.

There are open positions for selectman, assessors, and SAD44 in the next election, she reported. Nominations papers will be available March 7 and are due back by April 15.

Among other business, the sewer abatement request passed and the board approved membership in the Maine Service Center Coalition. Selectwoman Michelle Cole made a motion for the board to meet twice per month, at least until summer, but the motion died.