Buckfield Board of Selectmen

Buckfield Town Office

May 16, 2017

Consultant

What happened: Selectmen voted 2-1 to call back their top candidate for a consultant position, who will help with the town manager search and town structure analysis, so they can negotiate a fee. Chairman Warren Wright and Maida DeMers-Dobson approved the measure and Michael Iveson voted against it. 

What it means: Town Manager Cindy Dunn resigned as town manager effective Friday, June 30, but will remain as town clerk. Selectmen voted in April to hire a consultant for the tasks. The candidate told selectmen the process would take three months and she would charge $15,000.

What’s next: Selectmen will invite the candidate back for negotiations this week, if possible. Dunn will meet with the Budget Committee to discuss where the money will come from, which could include tapping into emergency contingency and asking for money at the annual town meeting in June.

Policies and bylaws

What happened: Selectmen continued their biennial review of the town’s policies and bylaws, approving five items in a block, which was opposed by DeMers-Dobson.

What it means: Selectmen approved the Appointment Policy, Economic Development Committee mission and bylaws, Ordinance Development Committee mission and bylaws, Recreation Committee bylaws, Road Committee bylaws, Social Services Committee bylaws and Zadoc Long Free Library bylaws. DeMers-Dobson wanted selectmen to take five minutes to discuss each item because they affect many people in town.

What’s next: Selectmen tabled discussing the Personnel Policies & Procedures Handbook, which was recently reviewed by Maine Municipal Association. They will discuss it at a future meeting.

BVC agreement

What happened: Selectmen signed an agreement with the Buckfield Village Corp. to pay the town clerk for administrative services for the corporation for the next six months.

What it means: Selectmen previously tabled the issue. The agreement for the administrative services from the town is for $5,500, which is $500 more than the previous agreement. The original agreement was approved by voters during the 2006 annual town meeting. Selectmen want the issue reviewed to see if it’s appropriate for the town to be offering these services.

What’s next: Selectmen will direct the consultant to examine the issue.

Rescue service

What happened: Selectmen gave their blessing to Rescue Chief Floyd “Chip” Richardson to meet with Sumner officials to discuss the Buckfield Rescue Department covering all of Sumner.

What it means: Buckfield covers one-third of the town. The rest is covered by Tri-Town Rescue. Richardson, who was approached by Sumner officials, will provide figures for possible expansion of services in Sumner.

What’s next: Richardson will meet with Sumner officials Wednesday, May 17. 

Bridge replacement

What happened: Dunn gave an update on the Shedd Hollow Road Bridge replacement project.

What it means: The town was recently awarded a $95,000 grant from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for the project because trout are getting stuck and dying in the bottom of the deteriorating culvert. Last week, she went with Ferg Lea from the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments, Jeff Stearns environmental planner for the Androscoggin River Watershed Council and Alex Abbott from U.S. Fish and Wildlife to discuss the project. While it was hoped the project could be completed this summer, it will be done next summer.

What’s next: Stearns will conduct a survey and pebble count for the town, free of charge. An engineer will have to be hired to come up with plans for the project.

School warrants

What happened: Selectmen signed the Regional School Unit 10 budget validation referendum and the special referendum warrant for roof repairs.

What it means: The special referendum warrant is for a roof repair bond at Mountain Valley High School in Rumford. Because five towns are leaving RSU 10 as of July 1, the district has to wait until after July 1 to vote on the bond.

What’s next: RSU 10’s budget meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 24, at Mountain Valley High School. Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, June 13, to vote on the budget and again Tuesday, July 11, to vote on the roof bond.

Reserve fund

What happened: Selectmen established the Fire Department/Town’s Matching Share Grant Reserve Fund at the recommendation of the Budget Committee.

What it means: The initial deposit in the reserve fund will be $1,400.

What’s next: If the reserve fund is drawn down because of necessary matching funds from the town for a grant, it will be replenished during the next budget cycle.

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