Buckfield Board of Selectmen

Nov. 15, 2016

Buckfield Town Office

Domestic partners

What happened: Selectmen opted to table reconsidering their decision about not extending insurance benefits to eligible employees’ domestic partners because Selectman Mike Iveson was absent Tuesday night.

What it means: After another lengthy discussion, board Chairman Warren Wright said he opposed adding domestic partners because of the potential cost to the town. Selectman Maida DeMers-Dobson wants selectmen to actually vote on the matter. She made a motion at the Nov. 1 meeting to extend benefits to domestic partners and it did not receive a second.

What’s next: Selectmen will readdress the issue when the entire board is in attendance at the Tuesday, Dec. 6, meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Office, 34 Turner St.

No meeting

What happened: Dunn informed selectmen that BK Properties, the new owner of 41 Faunce Road that is supposed to become a Christmas tree farm, “graciously denies” the town’s offer for a meeting room as a space to explain his property use intentions.

What it means: Anthony M. — the owner of BK Properties whose last name was illegible on his building permit application — will not meet with abutters or other residents to discuss his plans for the property. Dunn said the owner is willing to have one-on-one contact with abutters.

What’s next: Richard Smith, representing the Geraldine Smith estate, will be contacted by Anthony M. to conduct a site visit to figure out where the deeded right of way is at 41 Faunce Road. Gene and Cheryl Coffman — whose property abuts Anthony M.’s and where the Buckfield Village Corp. wants to install pipes to connect water to Faunce Road property — plan to contact Anthony M.

Heating system

What happened: Selectmen voted to insulate a cement wall and install a fan, instead of replacing the heating system in the Public Works garage, to try to get the heat working properly.

What it means: Dunn said “a reputable technician” said the exposed and uninsulated cement wall in the Public Works garage contributes to the furnace running constantly during the late fall and winter.

What’s next: Dunn will look to see if such a project would be covered under Efficiency Maine and go out to bid again for the new project. There is $10,000 in the budget that was originally allocated to replace the system that will be used toward the revamped project.

Town Office closed

What happened: Selectmen voted to close the Town Office on Friday, Nov. 25, the day after Thanksgiving, as has been done in the past.

What it means: Residents will not be able to conduct business in person at the Town Office on Black Friday. Employees will have to use a vacation day for their day off.

Budget Committee

What happened: Selectmen and Budget Committee member Vivian Wadas discussed the need for additional members on the Budget Committee.

What it means: There are at least two openings on the committee and they’d like more people to join the Budget Committee before work gets underway during the next budget cycle.

What’s next: Interested residents can pick up an application at the Town Office or call 207-336-2521 for more information. 

[email protected]