Equipment reserve accounts lack enough money to pay for replacements.
Strong
Posted inFranklin
Strong selectmen hand out raises
STRONG — Selectmen agreed Tuesday night to give all part-time employees a $1-an-hour pay raise — regardless of their current salary — beginning Feb. 1. Selectmen also approved a pay hike for trained firefighters, who will be paid $20 an hour for structure fires. Firefighters with less training will also get an increase, and they all […]
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Posted inFranklin
Strong selectmen approve employee raises
STRONG — Selectmen voted unanimously Tuesday night to give employees a 2.8 percent pay raise this year, offsetting it by having them pay for an increase in their health insurance premiums starting Feb. 1. The vote came as the board continued developing a budget for 2019. Selectman Rodney Cook suggested a combined percentage and merit-based […]
Posted inFranklin
Strong board reviews firefighters' pay
STRONG — Local firefighters this week questioned selectmen about how the Fire Department payroll in calculated. Long-serving fireman Ian Shamp said some firefighters put in extra hours that they weren’t compensated for, even though there appeared to be money in the department’s budget. Shamp attended a selectmen meeting Tuesday with Ryan Allen and Matt Stevens, […]
Posted inFranklin
Strong select board chairman resigns in frustration
STRONG — Board of Selectmen Chairman Dick Worthley submitted his resignation at Tuesday’s meeting, saying the board has “lost focus” on how to govern. It was effective immediately. Worthley, who was re-elected to a second term in March, read his statement to board members Mike Pond, Rodney Cook and Vice Chairman Rob Elliot. Rodney Spiller […]
Posted inFranklin
Selectmen vote to change Strong’s banking practices
STRONG — Selectmen have agreed to make changes to the town’s banking practices. Selectmen finalized a review Tuesday night of the town’s banking expenses, interest rates and services. The 1.50 percent interest rate that Franklin Savings Bank offered beat Bangor Savings Bank’s offer of 1.15 percent. Services are similar and the change would take effect […]
Posted inFranklin
Strong selectmen, Planning Board talk ordinances
STRONG — Members of the town Planning Board met with selectmen Wednesday night to discuss safety, property values, retail marijuana establishments and ordinances. The town has few ordinances and no zoning, beyond state-mandated shoreland and floodplain protection regulations. On Wednesday, the town’s five selectmen took their concerns to the Planning Board to discuss if new […]
Posted inFranklin
Selectmen consider request from senior housing manager
STRONG — The Board of Selectmen decided Tuesday evening to talk with the management of Valley Brook Village senior housing about having an authorized town representative available for emergencies. Board Chairman Dick Worthley said he spoke with the manager of the Main Street complex that has 20 units for low-income senior and disabled individuals. she […]
Posted inFranklin, sj-web
Strong man accused of sexually assaulting girl
UPDATE: Sexual assault suspect found dead in Franklin County Jail cell FARMINGTON — A Strong man is accused of sexually assaulting a girl and possessing sexually explicit photos of girls. Stephen Tripp, 35, of Strong, was arrested Friday on felony charges of gross sexual assault and possessing sexually explicit material, according to an affidavit filed in a […]
Posted inFranklin
Strong board looking to make town more attractive
STRONG — Selectmen will ask the Planning Board to review municipal ordinances and options to make the town a more welcoming place. Selectman Rod Spiller said Tuesday night he had given a lot of thought to how the town could be improved. “I just think some things need to be cleaned up in certain areas […]