MECHANIC FALLS – The Town Council has amended personnel policies to reduce some employee benefits as a cost-saving measure. However, no employees will be affected.

Town Manager Dana Lee explained that the changes are only for half-time employees, but there are none at this time. Only part-time workers hired in the future would be affected.

The changes are that single medical insurance for half-time employees would be dropped and sick leave time cut in half.

“We’re hearing a lot from the town’s people that benefits are too costly so we thought we should reduce them to a better level for the taxpayer,” Lee said.

In other business, the council named William Diehl as its chairman for the coming year at the town’s annual organizational meeting Monday night.

The organizational meeting is held at the first scheduled council meeting after the annual town meeting each year to reappoint several positions.

Diehl has served on the council for about seven years, according to Lee. Diehl replaces Marchian Crane, who served three terms on the council and recently as chairman. Crane could not run for a fourth consecutive term because of the town’s term limit ordinance.

Other appointments include Walter Lowe as vice chairman of the council and Jeff Sturtevant to the Recreation Committee.

The council welcomed its newest member, Aaron White, who was elected at the municipal election in May.

In another matter, Lee informed the council that he applied to the Bangor-based Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation for a $23,000 grant to repair the tennis courts that are adjacent to the municipal building. Lee hadn’t heard whether the request was approved.

In other business, the council voted to remove Mike Kyllonen from the Planning Board for failure to attend meetings.

Also, the council discussed the possibility of doing joint recycling with the city of Lewiston. Lee said he expects to meet with Lewiston officials soon to discuss a possible recycling contract.