LIVERMORE FALLS — Residents will decide at a special town meeting Jan. 3 whether to appropriate up to $650,000 in general obligation bonds or notes to repair the fire station.

The vote will be at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office.

Another article will ask voters to withdraw $83,990.56 from the town’s fund balance to cover engineering expenses. The estimated fund balance now is $1.1 million.

Selectmen on Tuesday also discussed how the state’s upcoming minimum-wage increase would affect employees.

Maine voters passed a referendum last month to increase the minimum wage to $9 per hour, effective Jan. 7, and it will increase to $10 per hour in 2018, $11 per hour in 2019, and $12 per hour in 2020.

Town Manager Kristal Flagg said that it would impact the Fire Department, library employees and employees of the summer recreation program, because some employees earn minimum wage. She said that the Fire Department has the funding to cover the increase this year.

Selectmen voted to make the town’s minimum wage $9 per hour for junior and probationary firefighters. They tabled action on increasing the rest of the Fire Department salaries until they could consult with Fire Chief Edward Hastings IV.

Selectman Ron Chadwick noted that in a recent edition of the Maine Townsman, an article provided advice on what could be included on agendas.

“We’re operating our select board on the agenda-type of policy, but other items can be discussed without being on the agenda,” he said.

Chadwick, referring to the article, noted that a common but incorrect assumption is that select boards not bound by charter cannot discuss items outside of the agenda. Non-agenda items can be brought forth unless it’s a regular or special town meeting.

In recent meetings, the board has not had a section for public comment on the agenda.

Selectman Jeff Bryant said he supported having people bring up non-agenda items.

“The only thing they have to realize is we may not be able to answer their questions,” he said.

“We’re all here as a team to work together and do the best we can,” Flagg said.

“I feel one of the things we need to work on is transparency,” Selectman Tom Barker said.

Bryant said that if an item isn’t on the agenda, unless it’s of an emergency nature, it should be discussed and tabled to allow town officials to gather more information.

Selectmen discussed whether or not there should be a time limit on how long citizens could speak.

The board voted to add an “other business” category starting with the next meeting to allow selectmen to bring forth items not on the agenda.

[email protected]

“I feel one of the things we need to work on is transparency.” 

— Tom Barker, Livermore Falls selectman