Paris Board of Selectmen

Oct. 23, 2017

Paris Town Office

Workers’ comp

What happened: Town Manager Vic Hodgkins announced the town will have higher premiums for workers’ compensation for 2018.

What it means: The town’s rating, which is a three-year rolling average, went from 1.44 to 2.06 and the average should be around 1. “They dropped a good year off of this. Now we’re picking up the newest year, which is not a good year,” Hodgkins said. When the rating increased last year, the town’s premium went from roughly $50,000 to $75,000. He is unsure of what the premium increase will be for 2018.

What’s next: The town should receive a bill by the end of this year, which will be included in the budget for the next fiscal year.

Passing the gavel

What happened: Selectboard Chairman Scott Buffington said he would step down as chairman next meeting and Vice Chairman Chris Summers would be chairman.

What it means: After the June election, selectmen discussed sharing the role of chairman of the board and cycle through members every three or four months.

What’s next: When the gavel is passed, selectmen will have to elect a new vice chairman.

Holiday contest

What happened: Selectmen approved hosting the first Light Up Main Street contest, hosted by the Economic Development Committee.

What it means: Selectman John Andrews, who also serves as EDC chairman, said the committee is figuring out rules and regulations. The contest is for businesses and organizations on Main Street to decorate their front windows and get in the holiday spirit.

What’s next: There will be a registration fee and prizes, and the committee will judge the displays. More details will be shared at a future selectmen meeting.

Workshop

What happened: Selectmen agreed to hold a workshop to brainstorm issues.

What it means: The workshop will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6, at the Town Office, 33 Market Square. Buffington wanted selectmen to share their ideas for the town and why they ran for office.

Speeding concerns

What happened: During open session, Dennis Durant said he’s concerned about speeding on Main and Fair streets in front of Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.

What it means: He requested a police presence near the high school before school begins and as it lets out.

What’s next: Hodgkins will talk with Police Chief Hartley “Skip” Mowatt after he returns from a police chiefs conference.

Business survey

What happened: Selectmen tabled the Paris Business Survey, which is a project of the Economic Development Committee.

What it means: Andrews said there is still work to do on the survey.

What’s next: The business survey will come before selectmen when it’s finished.

Roof project

What happened: Hodgkins announced the Fire Station roof project should be complete this week.

What it means: IRC of Lewiston was hired to replace the lower roof of the station that is above the community room and office area because it was leaking. The roughly $49,000 expense will come from the capital expenditure account. Summers, with the help of the Fire Department, looked at an electrical issue there and discovered a nail in electrical wiring.

What’s next: IRC will cover Summers’ invoice for the electrical work. 

Quitclaim deeds

What happened: Selectmen issued two quitclaim deeds to sell residents back their foreclosed properties.

What it means: The deeds were issued to Robert and Margaret Sprague and Thompson Moore Jr. and Amy Decous Moore. All of the back taxes were paid on the property so they could be released to the former owners.

Siding

What happened: Hodgkins said the Building Committee recently discussed fixing the outside of the Town Office.

What it means: The committee talked about whether to get a different kind of siding or to paint the building. Samples were available for people to view in the selectmen meeting room. The committee will put together a specifications package with the help of member Mike Brogan who has experience in writing bid specs.

What’s next: Hodgkins hopes to bring the package to selectmen around the first of the year and if things go as planned, it will go to bid during the winter and have the work done in either spring or summer 2018.

Budget season

What happened: Hodgkins said the fiscal 2019 budget season is about to begin.

What it means: He will work with department heads through the holiday season for the upcoming budget.

What’s next: Hodgkins will call a joint workshop with selectmen and the Budget Committee somewhere around the first of the year “so we can define some expectations before we get to the end of the ballgame.”

Second signer

What happened: Selectmen approved Hodgkins being the second signer for the town’s bank accounts.

What it means: The first signer is Town Clerk Liz Knox. During their annual meeting with Androscoggin Savings Bank, they were told it was good business practice to have two signers for the town.

Liquor license

What happened: Selectmen held a public hearing and renewed a liquor license for Stars & Strikes Bowling Center on Park Street.

What it means: The business will be able to serve alcohol for the upcoming year. In writing, Mowatt reported to selectmen there were no issues at the establishment. Buffington said he is happy someone is keeping a family based business in town.

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