A groundbreaking for the new Lisbon Elementary School on Saturday has been postponed due to anticipated poor weather.

The ceremony has been rescheduled to Saturday, May 3, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Due to limited parking at the Mill Street site, people are asked to park at the M. T. Morse Elementary School in Lisbon Falls or Lisbon Elementary School in Lisbon Village. Bus shuttles will take people to the ceremony free of charge, every 15 minutes between 10:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

The last trip back to the schools from the building site will be at 2:15 p.m. Refreshments will be served immediately following the groundbreaking. Music will be provided by students of all ages. The public is invited to attend.

– Connie Footman
Durham:

Board approves new rescue fees

Selectmen have approved a plan proposed by Fire Chief Bill St. Michel that will allow the Fire Department to bill insurance companies for responses to automobile accidents.

A$100 per hour fee was approved as the base rate to bring Durham into line with area fire services, St. Michel said.

These fees were approved:

• Command and control, $100.

• Hazard mitigation, $100.

• Extrication, $200.

• Fire suppression, $200.

The fees are not to exceed $500 per incident. All fees will be billed to insurance companies, not to individuals, St. Michel told selectmen.

In 2002 Durham Fire and Rescue logged 43 motor vehicle accident responses, St. Michel said.

In other business, selectmen approved spending $270 to rent three portable toilets for the softball field for three months. The request was made by Karen Harvey, representing the Durham Girls Softball League.

– Connie Footman
Durham:

School board elects and appoints

The School Committee has elected Jane Blais as chairman and Phyllis Brannon as vice chairman.

The following appointments for the 2003-04 year have been made:

• Donna Lacy: legislative contact.

• Marie-Anne White, Amber Snell and Jane Blais: Finance Committee.

• Phyllis Brannon and Marie-Anne White: Durham Teachers’ Association negotiating team.

• Amber Snell and Jane Blais: Durham Elementary Support Personnel negotiating team.

Carol Minnehan-Lee has been hired as a special education technician and Bobbi Roberts as outdoor track coach. Both positions are effective for the remainder of the 2003 school year.

– Connie Footman
Poland:

Dead-end limit cuts lots

A developer reduced the number of lots in a proposed subdivision after the Planning Board got a legal opinion on the matter Tuesday night.

In March, the board decided to table action on the subdivision until an attorney could provide answers to questions concerning the minimum number of lots on a dead-end road.

At issue was a plan by Brian Merrill to develop 14 or more lots on a 70-acre parcel off the Hines Road. Planning Board members questioned the legality of putting more than 14 lots on a dead-end road.

According to Code Enforcement Officer Arthur Dunlap, 14 lots is the legal maximum. Merrill now plans to develop nine lots at the site.

In other business:

• The board gave approval for Poland Spring Water Corp. to build a gazebo over a spring hole at the Winterbrook facility.

• Planners approved a preliminary sketch plan by Kimball and Corcoran, a construction company, for a 14-lot subdivision off Tiger Hill Road.

– John Plestina
Turner: Outsourcing will save money

Selectmen this week unanimously agreed to turn over the printing and mailing of the annual tax bills to an outside contractor.

The new tax bill will be sent only once during the year and will have two attached coupons, one to accompany each of the two tax payments made on May 1 and Nov. 1. Outsourcing the printing and mailing will save the town about $1,300 a year, according to Town Manager Jim Catlin.

The board also agreed to discuss a new contract with representatives of the Highway Department without hiring a negotiator. Officials hope the contract can be settled without the need for either a negotiator or mediation. Selectmen Ralph Caldwell and Lori Fish will represent the board in the negotiations, along with Budget Committee members Kurt Youland and John Durgin.

The board welcomed back re-elected Selectman Lori Fish and newcomer Lawrence House. Selectman Jennifer Wadsworth was re-elected as chairman of the board and Henry Gibbert as vice chairman.

– Jody Goodwin