MINOT — Selectmen voted 5-0 Monday to recommend residents vote “no” on the Androscoggin County Charter amendment on the Nov. 3 ballot.

 

Selectwoman Lisa Cesare said if the amendment passes, all hope of trying to maintain a system of checks and balances in the county budget would gone.

Selectwoman Eda Tripp was concerned that the public wasn’t paying close enough attention to the power struggle between the commissioners and the county Budget Committee.

 

“We certainly have no say over our salaries. They go to a direct vote by the people at a town meeting,” Tripp said.

 

Selectmen recalled that the version of the charter that county voters approved gave the county Budget Committee the power, with a super-majority vote, to set the commissioners’ salaries and benefits, but that something happened when the charter went to the Legislature for approval.

 

“I’d like to know how they presented the charter to (Sen.) Garrett Mason,” Selectman Steve French said, noting that Mason had been remarkably silent during the rather public debate over the interpretation of the charter.

 

“Maybe we ought to talk with Mr. Mason,” Tripp said.

 

Selectmen were also unanimous in their resolve to continue supporting the lawsuit filed against the county commissioners.

 

Town Administrator Arlan Saunders said lawyers for the towns have spent the $15,000 originally allocated for the suit and are estimating that at least another $20,000 will be needed.

 

Minot has spent $358 as its share of costs to date, Saunders said, and would be assessed about another $500 should selectmen wish to continue the effort.

 

“If you don’t stop them (the county commissioners) now, it will cost you again and again and again,” Gilpatric said. He urged the board to back the county Budget Committee in its assertion that it should have final say over the commissioners’ compensation.

 

In other business, selectmen heard from Recreation Committee Chairwoman Candace Gilpatric who said the committee wouldn’t be going before residents at the March town meeting looking for more money for the athletic fields.

 

Gilpatric said Minot-Hebron families had raised the $2,500 match required for the Modern Woodmen of America grant, and although they were a little late planting grass on the new field, it appeared to be taking well.

 

Gilpatric gave a big thank you to the Fire Department for “saving” the planting by providing a little irrigation when rain was scarce in mid-September.

 

“It is great how we are all working together,” Gilpatric said.