Selectmen have extended the deadline to apply for the Web site design position until July 16. So far only one application has been received and it has not been opened.

In other news:

• Copies of proposed comprehensive plan amendments that will be acted on at a special town meeting Wednesday, July 30, are available at the town office. A public hearing on the proposals will be held Monday, July 14.

• Road Commissioner Cliff Larrabee reported that the town can no longer dump stumps at the sand shed lot. The Department of Environmental Protection now requires a “permit by rule” for stump storage and that the stumps be ground every two years. Larrabee said the lot probably wouldn’t meet the permit critieria, and several interim suggestions are under consideration.

• No action has been taken on the need for more recycling containers because there are no funds budgeted for purchases. Residents may use their own containers.

• The town officially voted to accept a $25,290 Federal Emergency Management Agency grant for the Fire Department and authorized $2,810 in matching local funds to be used. A committee will be formed to administer the grant, which must be spent by April 2004.

• The board also voted to spend $4,448 for a turnout gear washer for the Fire Department.

– Connie Footman

Auburn:

Hospice may be coming to Stetson Road

Androscoggin Home Health & Hospice wants to open a 10-bed hospice on Stetson Road not far from Schooner Estates, city councilors were told during a workshop session Monday night.

To permit the facility, a zoning change would be required. Some of the 16-acre site is listed for agriculture uses or as open land reserve. The operation would have to be sited in a general business zone to comply with city ordinances.

Councilors, during the briefing, were told the facility would be unique in the sense that each hospice unit would feature a standard bedroom but also a sitting area where family and friends could visit with patients.

No action was taken on the issue pending further input from planners.

– Doug Fletcher
Durham: Town office to close for week

The Town Office will be closed for the first week of July, as has been the tradition. Residents are being reminded that the last day of business to get that fishing license or register a car will be Friday, June 27, when the office closes at 4:30 p.m. It will reopen at 9 a.m. Monday, July 7.

– Connie Footman

Durham: Shiloh Road Bridge has limited opening

Repairs to Shiloh Road Bridge have been completed and it has been reopened to limited traffic. Pursuant to the engineer’s recommendations, it has been posted for 4 tons. Buses, emergency vehicles and service vehicles will be limited as much as possible. “Pass at Your Own Risk” signs have been posted.

– Connie Footman

Durham: Assessors set tax ratio declaration

Selectmen, acting as town assessors, have signed the tax ratio declaration, which was set at 88 percent for the coming year, and have approved the following tax abatements and supplemental tax bills:

Abatements due to corrections for property valued at $450,300 with taxes due of $7,925.28; and supplemental tax bills for $7,925.28 will be sent out to actual property owners. Also abated were three tax bills for personal property, totaling $232.32, because owners had sold or are out of business.

– Connie Footman