To protect the computer network at the municipal office building from being hacked into, the Board of Selectmen accepted a bid for new security software Wednesday.

Northern Data Systems of Falmouth will install the town’s new software for $2,000, Town Manager Steve Dyer said.

Dyer said there have been cases of hackers tampering with municipal tax information in other states. “I don’t know of any cases in Maine,” he said.

Selectmen turned down a proposal from the police department for a four-wheel drive pickup truck Wednesday.

Dyer said the board decided that the proposal should go through the budget process in February and the final decision be made by voters at the annual town meeting.

The selectmen also rejected a proposal by a collection agency for tax collection.

Selectmen finalized specifications for a new tank truck for the Fire Department on Wednesday.

The truck, which is likely to cost about $120,000, will be put out to bid. “The money is in the capital improvements budget,” Dyer said.

The Municipal Office Building will be closed Christmas and will not be open the evenings of Dec. 10, 24 and 31.

The usual schedule for the town office is to close at 4 p.m. and reopen from 7 to

8:30 p.m.

– John Plestina
Monmouth:

Tax hike likely due to county costs

A tax hike next year is all but certain, with a larger assessment handed down by Kennebec County, town officials say.

Town Manager Steve Dyer said Monmouth’s assessment will be about $290,000 in 2004, up from $100,000 in 1992. It has been a steady increase over the past 11 years, the town manager said. The latest increase will add at least 40 cents to the town’s current tax rate of $22.40 per $1,000 of valuation, he said. The town has not gone through the municipal budget yet.

– John Plestina
Greene:

Board to fill school board vacancy

Selectmen accepted the resignation of SAD 52 board member Keith Quattrocchi Monday night.

The board plans to make an appointment Dec. 8 to fill the vacancy until the annual town meeting in March.

Any Greene resident interested in the appointment should contact the town office and ask for an application. Applications will be accepted until Dec. 5.

– John Plestina
Greene:

Trial run planned for office hours

Selectmen gave a green light for a 30-day trial for new municipal office hours Monday night.

The trial period will be for the month of January. The board will revisit the issue in January or February to determine if the new hours will be permanent, should be altered or should revert to the present schedule.

Offices will no longer be closed for lunch. Instead, employees will stagger their hours. There will be no increase in the number of work hours.

The hours in January will be: Mondays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesdays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Some board members expressed concern that 4:30 p.m. may be too early to close for people who may not be home from work at that time. Town Manager Stephen Eldridge is seeking comments from the public.

– John Plestina
Greene:

Selectmen discuss station details

Concerns that mold could form in a wall at the new Fire Station due to a leak where the roof and the block wall meet were raised during a selectmen’s meeting Monday.

The general contractor, Glen Builders of North Conway, N.H., will meet with Town Manager Stephen Eldridge and Fire Chief Bruce Tufts on Tuesday.

Eldridge said there are several minor things that are yet to be completed. He said that one place where Sheetrock screws were visible had to be repaired. The contractor still needs to have a final coat of paint put on that wall.

The project, budgeted at $1.9 million, is expected to cost less than $1.6 million when all work is completed. The Fire Department dedicated the station Nov. 23.

– John Plestina

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