LIVERMORE FALLS – The town’s new policy of charging for some services provided by the Fire Department was among several issues brought to the board Monday night by department heads.

Chief Ken Jones told the board he hadn’t totally agreed with some of the policy that had been approved by them July 21 when he had not been in attendance.

Jones indicated several citizens, who were concerned about being billed for services they feel they pay for through their tax dollars, had contacted him about the policy.

The board agreed to table any further action for more review and discussion and to find an answer to Jones’ other concern, where the revenue will go.

He was also advised to wait until a month after the taxes have been committed before buying equipment provided for in the 2003-04 budget.

Taxes are usually committed in early September and cash flow improves, the board noted.

Selectmen approved a proposal to have students in the high school Job Club work at the library two or three mornings a week, doing cleaning.

This would lower the custodial costs to the building as students would work on a volunteer basis and would be supervised by school staff.

The town is facing a deficit in the amount of money in the Treat Memorial Trust, which is used to care for the building, and needs to cut costs as much as possible.

A joint meeting of school staff, the custodian and library staff was suggested to work out details of supervision, hours, work ethic, etc.

The town is also considering charging for use of the library auditorium as a means of earning income to pay for heat, lights and custodial services in that part of the building.

The decision was tabled so more information could be obtained on who will be allowed to use the room and for what purpose, how many the building can accommodate and revision of the rules for its usage.

The town office staff was asked to compile a list of the groups now using the auditorium and selectmen will find out the regulations and fees for other buildings.

Jones will contact the fire marshal to determine safe capacity.

Road Foreman Denis Castonguay was authorized to do work on 900 feet of Haines Corner Road at a cost of $15,445 and to do sidewalk work. He will also look into prep work on Strickland Loop and culverts on Moose Hill Road.

Selectmen commented on brush problems at intersections and again discussed the intersection at Record and Moose Hill roads. Bernal Lake would like to have the major route turning onto Record Road from Moose Hill be the right of way since it appears to be the natural flow of traffic.

This could involve changing road names and accompanying E-911 addresses so the board agreed to leave the intersection as it is now, discuss the matter with Police Chief Ernest Steward Jr., and reconsider it after the Route 17 project is completed when traffic flow should lessen.

Waste Water Superintendent Kent Mitchell reviewed several projects with the board. He was authorized to fix a 20-foot problem on Gilbert Street and to have other preventative maintenance work done for a total of $4,153.

Mitchell also announced that the state has delayed the Main Street reconstruction project until 2008 and distributed an estimate from Wright Pierce, engineers, on replacement of the sewer when that work is done.

Their preliminary cost estimate was $358,796.


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