Paris Board of Selectmen
March 13, 2017
Paris Town Office
Town manager review
What happened: Before the meeting, selectmen went into executive session to discuss Town Manager Vic Hodgkins’ six-month review.
What it means: Selectmen voted to finish Hodgkins’ probationary period and continue with his five-year contract. “We’ve all decided we like Vic pretty well. Even though we don’t always agree … we’re going to keep him,” Board Chairwoman Janet Jamison said to applause from the rest of the board and audience.
What’s next: Hodgkins will receive a $2,600 raise, bumping his salary to $67,600.
Per diem hours
What happened: Board Vice Chairman Scott Buffington said from now on he will no longer sign the payroll warrants until the issue of a per diem firefighter working more than 40 hours a week is addressed.
What it means: Hodgkins said emergency services personnel have a different work schedule than other town employees and this employee, who he called exceptional, is working within the federal guidelines.
What’s next: Hodgkins offered to meet with Buffington and Fire Chief Scott Hunter once Hunter returns from vacation. Buffington said it won’t change the fact that it’s happening and reiterated he will not approve payroll warrants in the future if this employee is still working that much.
Taco stand
What happened: Resident Katherine Mitchell aired her concerns during open session regarding what she called red tape at the town level and Paris not being business friendly regarding her attempt to open a taco stand.
What it means: The Luchador Taco stand is on Western Avenue across from the Oxford County courthouse complex and was supposed to open in late summer or early fall last year. The issue is regarding pressurized water coming into the food trailer. Mitchell said the issue has been remedied and the state health inspector needs clarification from the town that it is a mobile unit so she can get an inspection and open for business.
What’s next: Hodgkins will speak with Code Enforcement Officer Kingston Brown and former CEO Fred Collins to see if they consider it a mobile unit so the town can send clarification to the state by the end of the week. If there is an issue, he will contact selectmen and Jamison promised to hold an emergency meeting to remedy the issue.
Moore Park bathroom
What happened: Selectmen voted to get at least three bids for a permanent bathroom at Moore Park.
What it means: This is a project longtime Parks and Recreation Committee Chairman Dana Chandler has championed for a while. He got one quote for roughly $13,000 for the concrete bathroom that would be surrounded by plants. Currently, the park has one port-a-potty, which has been pushed over in the past.
What’s next: At Jamison’s request, Hodgkins will provide the numbers on what it costs the town to maintain and pump the port-a-potty in the park.
Nomination papers
What happened: Town Clerk Liz Knox announced nomination papers for the upcoming June election will be available Monday, March 20.
What it means: There are two selectmen positions, two Paris Utility District trustee seats and two SAD 17 director positions, all with three-year terms. Jamison’s and Selectman Kathy Richardson’s terms are up, along with Matthew Dietrich and Chairman Raymond Lussier for the PUD trustees, and George “Buddy” Coffren and Henry Raymond on the school board.
What’s next: Those wishing to run for office must gather signatures for their nomination papers and turn them in to the Town Office by Friday, April 28.
Highway crew
What happened: Hodgkins announced over the past month, two people have been hired to round out the town’s Highway Department crew.
What it means: The new employees are Mike Gordon and Brian Miller. After one employee retired and another person said they might leave the Highway Department, Hodgkins and Highway Director Jamie Hutchinson interviewed candidates to fill the positions.