TURNER – Selectmen have endorsed a resolution calling on area towns in Androscoggin County to join a municipal partnership.

The partnership would provide opportunities for collaboration by combining resources – from recreation to business – of area towns. The goal would be to achieve financial savings and enhance quality of life.

“I think it is very important to investigate this opportunity, especially for things like fire, police and rescue services,” Selectwoman Jennifer Wadsworth said at a meeting Monday night.

“Our volunteers aren’t going to be around forever,” she added.

Selectmen are hoping that someone with knowledge of town government will volunteer to represent Turner on a regionalization committee.

Town Manager Jim Catlin said the committee will begin discussions on a wide range of topics including planning, buying highway supplies such as culverts, sharing services such as dog officers and creating regional recreational facilities. The next meeting will be Dec. 11.

In other business:

• The board voted to pay a $1,900 fine levied by the Department of Environmental Protection against the town for work done on Wood Street.

The town’s highway department failed to erect silt fences for erosion control while it was doing ditching and maintenance work on the road. The DEP had given the town the option of eliminating approximately one-half of the fine by holding a half-day or day long workshop on environmental topics. However, it would have required the attendance of at least 25 people. Selectmen weren’t sure that many people would be willing to give up that much time.

• The board approved the use of $1,000 from the new Town Office reserve fund upon recommendation of the Town Office Committee.

The money will be used to verify the town office elevations in relation to the new floodplain requirements recently put in place by the state. If the elevations are confirmed, an addition to the town office should be possible. The money will also be used to research the septic system and get designs made if the existing system will not handle water use planned for the expanded building.

The research work should be completed and the necessary information gathered in time for April town meeting, Catlin said.

• Selectmen reviewed a list of 48 landowners who will be receiving foreclosure notices at the end of the year for unpaid tax liens.

• There are two openings on the Planning Board. Anyone wishing to get information or to serve are asked to call Sandi at the town office at 225-3414.