Sumner voters approve formulation of town office policy
By Jen Otterson
Special to the Sun Journal

SUMNER – Voters at Monday night’s annual town meeting authorized selectmen to adopt a policy on use of the town office building.

More than 50 residents braved a downpour to attend the meeting at the Hartford-Sumner Elementary School. All 37 articles passed in under an hour.

Town Clerk Susan Runes said although the Bisbee-Dyer Municipal Center functions as a public building, it cannot legally be used by the public without official approval of the town. Passage of the article means the public will continue to be allowed to use the building for meetings, but use would be “more formalized for liability purposes,” she said

The town can now post guidelines for use such as required cleaning by users.

Tom Standard was elected to a three-year term as selectman, assessor and overseer of the poor. Kim Strout and Jim Keach were elected to the SAD 39 Board of Directors, for three years and one year, respectively, and Lana Pratt was elected road commissioner for a year.

Rhea Kennelly and Cynthia Norton spoke on the need for people to serve on town committees.

“It is vitally important that the town have these committees,” said Norton. “Please look at your schedules and see if you can find time to serve the town in some way.”

The town report listed the following committees and boards with vacancies: budget, planning, appeals, comprehensive plan, recreation and scholarship. Those interested should call the town office at 388-2866.

Norton said a swap shop committee of Sumner and Buckfield residents is being formed and anyone interested in serving should contact the town office by Sept. 2.

Kennelly, who is secretary of the Planning Board, asked that people attend the first meeting of the Comprehensive Planning Committee on Aug. 27. The committee will review the town’s comprehensive plan and determine whether any changes or clarifications are needed.

The motion to allow the selectmen to appoint committees as necessary passed unopposed.

Townspeople voted to give all money earned through the registration of snowmobiles to the Mt. Tom Snowmobile Club. The money will pay for maintaining their trails on the condition that those trails will be open to the public at all times.

Selectmen present were Thomas Standard, Mark Silber and Clifford McNeil. Theresa Hayes served as moderator.

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