TURNER – Selectmen have decided to seek advice from neighboring communities on how they collect bills for fire and rescue services.

“I need guidance on how far to go,” Town Clerk Eva Leavitt told the board. “Second notices are being sent. Some towns are using collection agencies, and some are writing it off. Small towns are having a hard time.”

According to Leavitt and Shane Arsenault of the Turner Volunteer Fire Department, the town is having a problem collecting not just from individuals but also from insurance companies.

The town only began billing last April, so there isn’t a collection history yet for guidance. However, at this time, Leavitt said, there is $10,000 outstanding. On Thursday, she said that after checking with a few other towns, everyone is having the same problem but exploring the various strategies for collection is a learning process.

Selectman Ralph Caldwell also questioned whether insurance companies were refusing to pay because of the way Turner dispatches. “I think the protocol of running three vehicles to every call is wrong.”

Arsenault responded that if a truck isn’t needed, it is obviously cancelled. But, he pointed out, when there is an accident on Route 4 with traffic as heavy and fast as it is on that highway, they need traffic control and need to deal with injured people and leaking fluids as quickly as possible. Arsenault was asked by the board to check with other departments and find out what their protocols are for responding to accident scenes, how many trucks they send – and under what circumstances – and how they bill those responses.

Papers filed

In other business, Leavitt told the board that the deadline for returning nomination papers has passed. There are no candidates or not enough candidates for some positions, so write-in candidates should be considered.

The following are running for local office:

• Board of Selectmen, two seats at three years each: Andre Baillergeon, John Durgin III, Henry Gibbert, Bob Hamlin and Dennis Richardson. Gibbert’s and Ralph Caldwell’s terms are expiring.

• SAD 52 Board of Directors, one seat for three years: no candidate. Jerry Dubois’ term is expiring.

• Budget Committee, three seats for three years each: Bruce Ray and Kurt Youland.