The Rangeley Board of Selectmen’s second monthly meeting was held via Zoom on January 24th.  Town Manager Joe Roach informed the Selectmen that the Town received $500,000.00 from the Municipal Partnership Initiative Grant Program.  This program is sponsored by the Maine Department of Transportation(MDOT) and reimburses municipalities for approved projects after paid road costs exceed the grant allocation.  The approved project that qualified for this grant was the reconstruction of the Loon Lake Road.
Although not discussed at this particular meeting, the Town has also received $475,000.00 of the $500,000.00 that the Loon Lake Road Project is receiving from a Northern Border Regional Commission Grant.  Work on the Loon Lake Road is substantially completed and the contractor E.L. Vining and Sons plans to finish the project by late spring or early summer 2022.
The Town of Rangeley also received a $22,000.00 Airport Rescue Grant which was available through the American Rescue Plan Act.  The Town needs to expend these funds within four years.  The funds can be used to cover costs related to operations, debt service payments, and to help combat the spread of pathogens at the airport.
The Selectmen authorized the Town Manager to have the Town join the Maine Service Centers Coalition.  Coalition members are Towns that function as service centers to surrounding communities.  The member towns have populations that range from approximately 2,100 to 26,000 residents.  The Coalition advocates for the members’ collective interests.  Town Manager Joe Roach will be Rangeley’s representative and

Administrative Assistant Traci Pitt LaVoie will be the alternative representative.  The membership fee is $500.00 per year.
Select Board member Ethna Thompson was appointed to the Employee Review Committee.  This committee helps manage accumulated sick leave and is a requirement of the Employee Union Contract with the Town of Rangeley.
Local resident and carpenter Noel Dolbier was appointed by the Selectmen to a three year term on the Planning Board.  The Selectmen expressed optimism that Noel’s knowledge of construction will help the Planning Board make good decisions.
The Town’s cost for ambulance service will increase by approximately 9% this coming year.  For the fiscal year starting July 1, 2022 the Town will pay $70,507.00 which is a $6,071.00 increase from the previous year.  The primary ambulances and staff for our local area are based at the Rangeley Public Safety Building which is attached to the Rangeley Town Office.
FREE COMMUNITY COVID TESTING will be available to the greater Rangeley area starting Monday, January 31, 2022 and continuing through February 11, 2022.  Time slots will be Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30am to 11:00am and Tuesday, Thursday 1:00pm to 3:00pm.  Call the Rangeley Town Office at 864-3326 or Rangeley Fire Rescue at 864-3800 to schedule a test.

Two event permits were approved for activities that will take place on Haley Pond.  The Rangeley Pond Hockey Festival is scheduled for February 12th and 13th.  The Winter Palooza is planned for Sunday, February 20th from 10:00am to 3:00pm.
The next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Monday, February 7, 2022 at 6:00pm.  The second monthly Selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 22nd because Monday, February 21st is the Presidents Day holiday.  A Public Hearing starting at 5:00pm will precede the February 22, 2022 meeting.  The focus of the public hearing will be Attainable Housing.  Developer Matt Teare who has proposed an Attainable Housing Project on Cross Street will be present to provide details and answer questions. When we get closer to the date, check with the Town Office to see if the public hearing will be via Zoom or in person.