TURNER — State Rep. Jeffrey Timberlake, R-Turner, asked selectmen Monday night for suggestions on legislative bills that would help residents of the town.

Selectman Ralph Caldwell said he wants outstanding schools, because they are magnets that attract more affluent residents who build more expensive houses and pay more taxes.

Chairman Angelo Terreri said he would like to see unfunded state mandates that cost the town money revoked.

Timberlake said progress had been made in that area during the last legislative session.

He said he would try to get changes in the law regulating what physical force educators can use when needed. He said in a nearby town, when a disruptive student refused to leave the building during a fire alarm, the principal had to call sheriff’s deputies to remove the child because educators were not allowed to touch him. He did not say how much this child’s misbehavior cost taxpayers.

Timberlake said he would also introduce legislation seeking exemption from the No Child Left Behind Act. He said it was the chief block in improving the quality of education in Maine.

He also offered to set up a meeting with the state Department of Transportation and town officials to address problems with state roads in Turner.

After public hearings, liquor licenses were approved for the Landmark, Antigoni’s and Youlie’s restaurants.

Public Works Director John Moultrie made his monthly report to selectmen. Board members were concerned that the snowplows got a late start on the first snowstorm. Moultrie, who was recently appointed, said that he had been under the impression that the county dispatch would alert the on-call Public Works person when it appeared the roads would need attention.

In fact, dispatch only contacts the on-call person when first responders need their services. He said he has established a policy for the road foreman will monitor the roads.

Monday night’s meeting was delayed by a large turnout for the annual Christmas-tree lighting. The festivities included Santa arriving on a fire engine decorated with Christmas lights, gifts for more than 100 children and refreshments for the children and their parents.