Sumner Board of Selectmen
Jan. 31, 2017
Sumner Town Office
Marijuana moratorium
What happened: Selectmen discussed a possible recreational marijuana moratorium in town, though no action was taken, according to the draft meeting minutes.
What it means: Selectmen decided to wait and see what the state would do first. Possession of recreational marijuana became legal Monday, Jan. 30, while the Legislature has until February 2018 to figure out the sale and purchase of it, along with other regulations.
What’s next: Selectman Edwin Hinshaw will contact John Maloney of the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments to discuss the issue further.
Job interviews
What happened: Selectmen voted to interview six people for the open deputy clerk position.
What it means: Seven people applied to fill the deputy clerk position that has been vacant since August 2016. Interviews with the six candidates will be held in half-hour blocks from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14.
What’s next: Letters, phone calls and emails will be sent to applicants with a broad description of the position. Two or three applicants may be asked back for a second interview.
Salt and sand
What happened: Road Commissioner Andy Wickson said there had been 25 storms this season, which included ice and freezing rain in addition to snow, which has resulted in more salt use.
What it means: The pretreatment of the roads with salt has been effective, which has used more salt as a result.
What’s next: The town might have to budget for more salt and may have to buy more sand.
Road concerns
What happened: Resident Walter Jasniewski expressed concern about the skim coat on Route 219/Main Street and the same for Tuell Hill and Redding roads and other areas of Oxford County.
What it means: Selectmen and Wickson said the Maine Department of Transportation was aware of the issue on Route 219, because the skim coat is incomplete on some parts of the road and can be seen and felt while driving, according to Secretary Sondra Bragg. The MDOT is in charge of the work on the state road. The project could not be completed because of the winter weather.
What’s next: Work will resume in the spring to finish the project.
Reappointment Committee
What happened: RSU 10 Director Charles Maddaus said the town needs three people to serve on the Reappointment Committee as the school district reconfigures itself after five towns left the RSU.
What it means: Hinshaw volunteered to serve as the elected official for the town on the committee and Maddaus will serve as the RSU 10 representative.
What’s next: A citizen member will be sought through the town website, phone calls and a mass email. Superintendent Deb Alden will be at the Tuesday, Feb. 14, selectmen meeting to discuss the committee and its charge.
Other items
In other news, selectmen:
* Appointed new Planning Board members John Allen and Larry O’Rourke
* Appointed Town Clerk Susan Runes as registrar of voters.
* Reviewed and signed a veteran’s tax exemption for Larry M. Casey.
* Reviewed and signed a tree growth application for Robert E. Marstaller.
* Reviewed and signed the 2017 U.S. Census Bureau update.