PHILLIPS – Voters agreed with little discussion during the annual town meeting Saturday to authorize selectmen to purchase a new bucket loader. About 60 people attended the session.
Road Commissioner Stephen Haines said the town’s 1977 Fiat Allis needs a new transmission, which could cost up to $10,000. That vehicle will be traded in toward the purchase of the new one. A mistake in the town report stated the year of the old vehicle as 1967. Haines said the new vehicle should last the town at least 25 years.
The total cost of the 2004 Komatsu 3 yard bucket loader is $83,899.30 at a fixed 4 percent interest rate over 5 years. Voters agreed to raise and appropriate $18,011.40 for the first annual payment. Haines said the town looked at five other machines at around the same cost before deciding on this one. He said they went with the Komatsu because of the availability of parts and service.
Voters also agreed to raise and appropriate $3,500 to contribute to the operating expenses of “The Zone,” a youth activities center for the surrounding area. The center currently provides 20-25 kids with a safe place to go on Friday and Saturday nights. It also provides “magic bus” tours.
Franklin County Sheriff Dennis Pike said last fall the group toured the Franklin County Jail. One of the things they learned there was that not graduating high school is one indicator that they will end up in some type of correctional facility in the future.
The center used grant funds to collaborate with the Sheriff’s Department for extra patrolling on weekends. That money has run out and they are looking for other sources of funding for that purpose.
Voters agreed to raise and appropriate $2,000 for fire alarms at the town garage and fire station, and fire and security alarms at Phillips Elementary School. The systems will be purchased from Sugarloaf Security in Carrabasset Valley.
Nominations were taken from the floor for town officers. Town Clerk once again is Evelyn Wilbur. Alan Morse is director to SAD 58. Stephen Charles will serve another year on the Board of Selectmen.
The town also announced that they have a new web site at www.phillipsmaine.com.
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