HANOVER — Voters will convene at a Special Town Meeting on June 17 at 6 p.m. at the recently renovated Hanover Town House to vote on two key items: $7,500 for scales at the Tri-Town Transfer Station and approval of a revised solid waste agreement with Bethel and Newry.

During the May 20 Selectboard meeting, member Jim Barker urged colleagues Marilyn DiFillipo and Frank Morrison Jr. to vote on the matter. “Bethel would like to get all the votes in before the end of June,” he said. Newry approved $50,000 at its May 13 Town Meeting.

“The whole proposal is to gain payment from these contractors that are bringing stuff in and just dumping it and not having to pay for it… Trying to find some way to recover this cost is worthwhile,” Barker added.

The Special Town Meeting will follow the regular Select Board meeting scheduled for 4 p.m. that same day.

At one point, Town Manager Kelly Harrington answered a call during the meeting: “That was Bethel calling, they want to know when our meeting is,” she told the board.

Other business

Resident Becky Bean raised concerns about potholes on Top Hat Road. “Is there any schedule as to when Top Hat Road will be addressed?” she asked. “No plan,” Morrison replied, citing efforts to keep the budget low. While full paving isn’t scheduled, pothole repairs are planned.

Morrison also reported labor shortages have slowed town office repairs, but he plans to speak with the contractor.

Five domestic rabbits are living outside the Hanover Town Office, Harrington reported. They migrated from further in town, where their previous owners now have around 100. “Let them run,” said Morrison. “Or we could take them to the Maine Mall and sell them in the pet store.”

Doug Wilson of D.A. Wilson is working on ditches and culverts around Howard Pond. “Should be done by Memorial Day,” said Barker. Harrington extended FEMA’s project deadline as a precaution. “This is as much efficiency as I have seen in a long time,” Barker said of the contractor’s thorough job.

Barker also proposed forming a committee to attract organizations to use the renovated Town House near the basketball courts on Howard Pond Road.

Revenue

Officials reviewed budget pressures expected in October. The SAD-44 school budget rose to $598,000 for Hanover’s 30 students – a $36,000 increase. The town’s Oxford County assessment also increased from $63,099 to $85,663.

They discussed reserving $25,000 annually over two years for a future revaluation. “We’re closing in on 100 grand and we haven’t gotten to anything else,” said Morrison, who suggested lowering the reserve amount.

Barker suggested an idea he’s broached before – to raise revenue through hydro-power royalties. “We complain about the taxes. There are things we can do to generate revenue,” he said. Morrison seemed to be open to researching the idea.

As the meeting ended, resident Scott Cole asked Barker if he would be at a meeting to measure the transfer station for the proposed scales. Barker, who had already surveyed it for the tri-town committee, said he could not.