The Rangeley Board of Selectmen met on December 6th to continue conducting Town business during the final month of 2021.  The Selectmen received a November 30, 2021 memo from Rangeley Local Health Officer Lindsey Savage providing information on the status of Covid 19 in the Rangeley area.  Lindsey was aware of at least ten cases in the community over the past two weeks.  She provides those directly affected with Covid 19 with resources, support and guidance.  She encourages those with positive test results and those with quarantine restrictions to be as transparent as possible.
Fire Chief Michael Bacon and Lindsey worked together to arrange the vaccine clinic held December 4th at the Rangeley Fire Station.  The clinic was well attended with over 207 people receiving vaccines.  Michael and Lindsey will be monitoring vaccine demand to gauge when another clinic might be warranted.  You can sign up online for a vaccine appointment at Hannaford Grocery Stores, Walgreens or Walmart.  Additional Covid information can be received by contacting Lindsey Savage at [email protected] or Michael Bacon at [email protected] or by calling the Town Office at 864-3326.
The Selectmen decided to reschedule their vote on the hiring of a law firm to provide legal services to the Town to their December 20th meeting.
Town Manager Joe Roach informed the Board that Alex Kiser has been hired on as Office Assistant/Customer Service Representative.  Joe created this position to enhance efficiency in front office staffing and to improve on the existing good level of customer service.
The Selectmen authorized the Town Manager to sign a Winter Road Maintenance Agreement with Dallas Plantation.  This cooperative agreement provides for the Dallas Plantation road crew to maintain the portion of the Dallas Hill Road located in Rangeley and the Pickford Road.  The Rangeley road crew will maintain the Dallas Plantation portion of the Loon Lake Road that is located past the Transfer Station.
One proposal was received for the mowing of Town parks and green spaces and one proposal for the mowing of Rangeley cemeteries.  Bees Green Thumb was awarded a three year contract for cemetery mowing at $28,000.00 per year and a two year contract for the Town parks and green spaces at $18,000.00 per year.
Preparations for the June 14, 2022 Annual Town Meeting have already begun.  All Department budgets are due to the Town Manager by January 4, 2022.  The Town Manager will meet with Department heads between January 5th and 7th to discuss the proposed budgets.  The budgets will be forwarded to the Selectmen and Budget Committee members by January 31, 2022.
It was noted that vacancies exist on the Planning Board and that Selectmen’s efforts to find interested participants have been unsuccessful.  If any residents would like to assist the Town with its planning and development please contact the Town Office.  Chairman Cyndy Egan asked fellow Board members if they had any concerns about preserving the character of downtown Rangeley.  She pointed out that the introduction of franchised businesses with their signature designs and buildings employing modern architectural styles have the potential to change the look and feel of the area.  Cyndy wondered if the Town had sufficient rules to manage this type of development.  None of the Board members present suggested any action.
A Public Workshop on Chapter 38 Rangeley Zoning Ordinance is scheduled for December 13, 2021 at 6:00pm at the Rangeley Town Office.  Discussion of the Land Use Tables which control what activities are allowed in each zone and who has the permitting authority will be an important portion of this meeting.
Rangeley Fire Chief Michael Bacon is a State of Maine Fire Service Institute Instructor.  He has recently implemented two training courses.  One course is Basic Fire Training and the other is Pro-Board Fire Officer 1 Training.  Chief Bacon is able to receive specialized training equipment because he is a State instructor.  The equipment he received puts the students in uncomfortable situations that train them to deal with confined spaces, collapsed buildings and ways to mange their air supply/usage.  These classes are being attended by firemen from Rangeley, Phillips, Eustis and Wilson Mills.  These firemen are from departments that often work together in emergency situations.
The next Selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for December 20th at 6:00pm.