NORWAY – Selectmen are questioning the viability of maintaining the Norway Branch Railroad.

No solutions were reached on the issue during a Thursday evening meeting, but Town Manager David Holt gave board members what he called a “road map” to reaching some answers.

The information was provided in the form of a letter from town attorney Geoffrey H. Hole.

The NBR was incorporated by legislative action in 1872 to operate a railroad between Norway and Paris. The St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad now rents a small section of track from NBR. There are no other rail users.

Norway is principal shareholder of the business with 51 percent. Dennis Gray is the NBR chairman and only member of the board. Norway resident Jack Shaner, the owner of Shaner’s Family Restaurant, asked the board in September to sell the NBR property that passes behind his restaurant.

He has approached Gray, who is reluctant to sell.

Holt told selectmen the NBR is not in good standing with the Secretary of State’s Office. It owes the office $560 in back filing fees and penalties. Since the NBR is not in good standing it may not conduct business, such as selling it land.

In order to sell the land, Norway would have to call a special meeting of shareholders to elect a board of directors. The board could then adopt a resolution to sell the property.

Selectmen said they want to meet with Gray before making a decision.

In other business, Norway Fire Chief Mike Mann suggested that selectmen put up the “Buffalo” – a 1948 tanker truck – up for bid as soon as possible.

Mann said the truck is being stored at the Water Department garages.

Selectmen instructed Holt to place advertisements in trade and other publications to draw bids.

Code Enforcement Officer Jeffrey VanDecker told the board that the town office building needs refurbishing in three areas.

He said snow and ice fall throughout the winter over the entrance to the police department. He suggested either creating a new roof or putting a gable on the entrance way.

VanDecker said that the roof shingles needed to be sealed and painted and that the roof over the outside walkway needs repairs.

Holt also told selectmen that the Beal Street road project was nearing an end for this construction season. He said there are some drain lines that need to be reconnected and felt that K&K Construction, Scarborough, made good progress on the project.

Beal Street will have updated water and sewer lines and road surfacing, sidewalks and a bicycle lane when finished.

He said that he also wanted to get a bid from K&K on erecting the wing walls supporting the bridge on Beal Street.

Norway road crews had been working on the bridge, but Holt thought their time might be better used on road projects in the spring.

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