LIVERMORE FALLS — Selectmen voted 3-1 at their June 18 meeting to approve the fiscal year 2025 stipend amounts for town employees who receive them.

Chair William Kenniston asked if the pay for selectmen [paid annually], which had been $2,100 was officially moved to $1,600 rather than the $1,850 shown on information provided at the meeting. “I thought we lowered it twice,” he said.

Town Manager Carrie Castonguay said the amounts had been discussed during budget deliberations, didn’t remember that.

“I don’t remember lowering it twice,” Selectman Bruce Peary said. “I remember $1,850, I don’t remember $1,600.”

Selectman Jim Long said he didn’t remember the lower amount.

“I am opposed to lowering it any more,” Peary stated. When Long asked if he was OK with $1,850, he said yes.

Kenniston questioned the amount that had been budgeted.

“I am second guessing myself now,” Castonguay said when asked if she remembered what had been budgeted. She said she would check.

“I would distinctly have remembered $1,600,” Peary said.

Long, Peary and John Barbioni approved the proposed stipends. Kenniston was opposed.

The amount paid the health officer remained at $1,200; general assistance administration went from $38.50 to $60 a month; animal control officer increased from $600 to $850 per month; summer recreation director remained at $4,500 annually while buildings/Transfer Station administration stayed at $1,250 per month.

Quarterly payments to Livermore Falls Fire Department staff will see the chief’s pay increase from $7,455 to $8,000; deputy chief goes from $4,500 to $6,000; captain remains at $2,000; lieutenant from $1,875 to $2,000; corporal from $1,875 to $1,750 and the safety officer remaining at $1,200. Personal cell phone use will remain at $35 per month.

The board was told Foundry Road would be opened up for the parade on July 3rd. “We will go right around to the Town Office and Police Department,” organizer Kristie Cooper said. “That way it’s not taking up parking in the parking lot.”

“Personally I am really glad you guys are taking it on,” Kenniston said. “It is a lot. I think it is a great thing. It is not easy, it is a lot of work.

“We heard some complaints, some businesses complained about the Memorial Day [parade],” Jeff Cooper, another organizer and Krisie’s husband, said. “We actually went to those businesses, did a face to face talk with them about the parade. Let them know there is going to be bigger crowds, they might want to get more people there.”

The issue was businesses were not prepared for the added business, didn’t have enough staff and sold out of things.

“Well, it is good that you let them know,” Kenniston said. “There could be worse problems I suppose.”

“So the complaints from Memorial Day was that it was too successful,” Long asked. “I was not sure I heard that right. That is good.”

“I did very well in my business and I am not complaining,” Peary added.