Buckfield Board of Selectmen
Buckfield Town Office
July 5, 2017
Interim town manager
What happened: Selectmen held an executive session to discuss the ongoing interim town manager search.
What it means: Selectmen selected two additional candidates to interview. Town Manager Cindy Dunn resigned as of June 30 and remains as town clerk. At their last board meeting, selectmen hired Dunn as interim town manager until Sunday, July 30. Selectmen have interviewed two candidates and requested Dunn obtain references for all of the candidates.
What’s next: Selectmen set up interviews for Monday, July 24, and Tuesday, July 25, beginning at 4:15 p.m.
LifePak Monitor
What happened: Selectmen approved the purchase of a Lifepak 15 Monitor and four-year service agreement, as requested by Rescue Department Chief Floyd “Chip” Richardson.
What it means: The Rescue Department has saved money for the monitor, which allows personnel to bring an EKG machine into residents’ homes. Richardson requested it earlier than expected because of a special deal. The monitor, which retails at $35,450, cost the town $22,754. The service contract is $5,875. To pay for the equipment, $20,000 will be used from the Rescue Equipment Reserve, a $2,200 donation from the Rescue Association and $554 from the department’s remaining fiscal 2017 operating budget. The service agreement will be paid for from the Rescue Department budget.
Library closed
What happened: Selectmen authorized Dunn to close the Zadoc Long Free Library for nearly two weeks for renovations.
What it means: The project is estimated to take at least a week and includes upgrading to energy-efficient lighting and exposing the original ceiling. The library will be closed from Monday, July 17, until Sunday, July 30. Robert Peer will do the carpentry work and JNC Electric Inc. the electrical. The project is being paid for, in part, by a grant from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation.
What’s next: Any library programs scheduled during that time will happen at the Town Office, 34 Turner St. If the project is completed before July 30, the library will reopen earlier.
Chairwoman/vice chairwoman
What happened: Selectmen elected Maida DeMers-Dobson as chairwoman and Cheryl Coffman as vice chairwoman, each for a year.
Reappointments
What happened: Selectmen reappointed Richardson as rescue chief for three years and Robert Larrabee as animal control officer for a year. Other reappointments include: Mary Jones to the Beautification Committee for one year; Penny Horsfall and Vivian Wadas to the Budget Committee for one year and three years, respectively; James Lowell to the Community Day Committee for two years; Chander Buie and Gregory Forget to the Economic Development Committee for one year each; Perley Lovejoy to a vacant seat on the Planning Board for one year; Belinda Kleeberger to the Library Committee for three years; Amanda Brewster and Amy Stevens to the Recreation Committee for one year each; and Crystal Crowell to a vacant seat on the Recreation Committee for two years.
What’s next: There are still a number of vacancies on boards and committees, including open spots for the Appeals Board, Beautification Committee, Budget Committee, Community Day Committee, Economic Development Committee, Library Committee, Old Church on the Hill Committee, Ordinance Development Committee, Planning Board, Recreation Committee, Road Committee and Social Services Committee. Those interested in serving can pick up an application at the Town Office.
Meetings
What happened: Selectmen rescheduled two meetings.
What it means: Selectmen canceled their Tuesday, July 11 meeting and set it for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, at the Town Office. Selectmen postponed having a joint meeting with Sumner selectmen — both boards make up the Buckfield-Sumner Solid Waste Committee — until after a new interim town manager is in place.
Cable problem
What happened: Resident Lucille Allen asked if Channel 7, the local channel the town broadcasts on, would ever work properly.
What it means: The calendar of town meetings and events do not broadcast all of the time. There were issues with broadcasting Tuesday night’s meeting initially, but it worked out. Dunn said there was a power surge over the weekend, which usually makes the broadcast not work. Dunn has called Spectrum three times and set up appointments to fix the ongoing problem, but each time the company has been a no-show.
What’s next: Dunn called Spectrum again and an employee is supposed to come on Friday, July 7, for the service appointment.