Buckfield getting money to weatherize 100 homes

BUCKFIELD — State Rep. Terry Hayes, D-Buckfield, told selectmen Tuesday night that Buckfield has qualified to receive part of a $30 million grant to winterize 100 homes.

The grant is from the Maine Green Energy Alliance.

Hayes said that the state had picked seven towns, but after she presented a case for Buckfield, they chose it also. The loans would be available after the town has adopted an ordinance to allow residents to take advantage of the Property Assessed Clean Energy program.

Hayes brought to the PACE meeting 30 names of people in town who wanted to take advantage of the program. The goal is to retrofit 100 homes in Buckfield. Energy audits will be scheduled first to see what improvements are needed.

There will be a hearing Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. on the ordinance, followed by an informational meeting at the town office.

Voters passed a recall ordinance Tuesday by a tally of  127-35.

Selectmen voted to accept the changes to the revised rescue budget as approved by the Budget Committee.

There was discussion over what the amendment at the annual town meeting really meant when $10,000 was taken from the rescue budget. Hayes clarified the point by saying that the amendment spoke to the dollar figure and the discussions at the meeting were not part of the article.

Town Manager Glen Holmes gave a report to the board on changing the position of road commissioner from an appointed one to an elected elected one. Holmes has served as road commissioner, as has every town manager since the town voted to have one in 1967. Holmes basically told the board they could appoint someone other than him anytime.

Holmes also told the board that to change the board from three members to five could be put on the Nov. 2 ballot. They have until next meeting to decide.

Board Chairman Eileen Hotham said she was concerned about the change, because it was so hard to get people to run for vacant seats. Now, the board operates with two members until the November election.

After a resident interrupted the board meeting several times to ask questions, Hotham and Selectman Robin Buswell said they would be happy to answer questions from residents on weekend.

"This board is very generous to let people ask questions," Holmes said.