BUCKFIELD – Property owners who want a driveway entrance on a town road must notify the road commissioner and pay for a culvert, according to a policy adopted by selectmen Tuesday night.

The commissioner will determine the size and type of culvert, order it and have the road crew install it after the landowner pays for it, the policy states.

In other business, Beverly Bennett and Judith Berg questioned the legality of the 2001 decision for the town to withdraw money from reserves to pay architect fees.

Town Manager Cynthia Dunn produced a letter from Maine Municipal Association that stated the action was permissible. The MMA attorney said the agency designates these types of municipal reserve accounts as capital improvement accounts and makes the municipal officer the trustees. As such, selectmen have authority to administer the money and make expenditures.

Dunn showed the financial report for the new highway garage project, and total expenses to date are $182,544.12, which is $17,455.88 shy of the $200,000 budget. She said there may not be enough for paving, but that won’t be needed until spring.

Dunn will call Central Maine Power Co. to get estimates for having temporary power for the calcium chloride tank on the site of the proposed town garage. The calcium chloride in liquid form is used for winter roads.

There was discussion on how the town should deal with overdrafts.

Berg said in order to write overdrafts there needed to be a special town meeting. She also suggested the selectmen read the MMA manual.

Berg also said she was concerned that Buckfield’s elected moderator for town meetings appoints a deputy moderator who handles the meeting. Charles Berg said the MMA manual states the position was only to be temporary.

Attorney Michael Stultz of MMA advised Dunn in a letter that certain statutes say the moderator may appoint a deputy moderator to assist.

The next selectmen’s meeting will be held Dec. 23.

Copy the Story Link