LIVERMORE FALLS – Bernal Lake was elected chairman of the board Tuesday night when selectmen held their storm-delayed meeting. Lake is the third man to chair the board in the past six weeks.

The saga began with the resignation of longtime chair Bill Demaray at the Nov. 3 meeting. Selectman Clayton Putnam took over, chaired the Nov. 17 and Dec. 1 sessions, and then resigned abruptly from the board Dec. 2.

As only three of the four remaining members were present, Lake was put in the uncomfortable position of voting for himself.

The five-member board requires a majority of three to vote in favor of a motion for it to pass. With Putnam’s departure, only four seats are filled. Although no longer chairman, Demaray is still a member of the board.

Selectmen voted to increase the tire disposal fee from $2 to $3 per tire as the town’s disposal cost has increased.

More business

In other transfer-related matters, it was noted that several citizens are still using black trash bags. Only clear bags are to be used, so the attendant can inspect their contents, if necessary. People using black bags can have their trash refused, the board noted.

Selectmen also voted to take the next step in the process, which will be court action, to get junk on Gilbert Street cleaned up. Robert and Gail Morgan had been given until Nov. 30 to bring matters into compliance.

Named to the open position on the Planning Board was Stephen Deschesne. His wife, Julie, is interested in serving on the Community Development Advisory Committee.

Approval was given for a quarter-page ad in the Chamber of Commerce book Western Mountain Footnotes and Town Manager Alan Gove will create the copy for it.

When Selectman Ken Jacques reported on a conversation with Livermore Selectperson Wayne Timberlake, the board agreed that a joint meeting to talk about possible cooperative ventures would be a good idea.

High praise was given the highway crew for keeping the roads open during the past two major storms. “They did a wonderful job,” said Lake.

Selectwoman Doreen Maheux thanked the crew for keeping Foundry Road open during the storms, and the board agreed to continue doing so for public safety reasons.

Freeze spending?

Lake expressed concern about the amount of overtime and extra help used during those storms.

“If this continues through the winter, we’ll be in deep trouble,” Lake said.

Selectmen questioned why foreman Denis Castonguay had not been assisting in the snow removal, but temporary help was hired. Gove said Castonguay had been pushing back drifts and that with each man doing a job in snow removal, there was no large truck to put Castonguay on.

Lake suggested Gove meet with all department heads to discuss a freeze on expenditures to help avoid an increase in taxes next year.

Gove said a release from the court administrator placed the Livermore Falls District Court on a list for possible cuts. He also announced receipt of an anonymous gift for the cruiser fund.

Selectmen suggested that the retaining wall leading from the court portion of the municipal building be removed so people could see the parking lot there and the gazebo.