Following the recommendation of Road Commissioner Clif Larrabee Sr., selectmen have authorized Chairman Wesley Bennett and Larrabee to sign a contract with A.H. Grover to replace the Shiloh Road bridge on the firm’s bid of $87,812.

The contract includes the installation of a thicker, multi-plate culvert than originally planned, which added $3,100 but will extend the life of the bridge for an estimated seven or more years.

There will be no additional cost for installation, only for the culvert itself, Larrabee told selectmen

– Connie Footman
Durham: Crime statitics remain stable in 2003

Chief Deputy Guy Desjardins and Captain Ray LaFrance of the Androscoggin Sheriff’s Department delivered their annual law enforcement report to selectmen. They said crime statistics for 2003 in Durham remained basically at the same level as 2002.

Desjardins said the 28-day call-sharing program between the Sheriff’s Department and State Police is working well.

The Sheriff’s Department has two deputies available during their days on for the towns of Durham, Wales, Leeds and Greene. LaFrance told selectmen that deputies or troopers respond to every 911 hang-up call to make sure people at the site of the call are safe.

– Connie Footman
Leeds: Towns seek inspections grant

Selectmen have decided to participate with the town of Wayne in a grant application to fund the inspections of boats on Androscoggin Lake.

The $4,000 state grant would fund a boat inspection program similar to the one in place at Lake Auburn, which uses volunteer inspectors at launch sites.

The purpose is to keep milfoil out of the lake and to educate boat owners. Milfoil and other invasive plant species enter lakes by plant particles attached to the bottoms of boats.

Concerns have been expressed around the state that species not found in Maine could be imported by particles attached to bottoms of boats that have been in the waters of other states or in Canadian waters.

– John Plestina

Sabattus: Board elects Gayton to chair

Selectmen have voted to install Rudy Gayton as chairwoman of the board for a one-year term. Gayton has served on the Board of Selectmen since her husband, Robert “Tim” Gayton, died in office in January 1990.

The board at that time appointed her to serve the remaining two months of her husband’s term. She was elected in March 1990 and has served on the board since. Gayton succeeds Bill Luce, who remains on the board.

– John Plestina

Auburn: County rules in town’s favor

The County Commission has decided in favor of the town of Sabattus on an appeal by Clifton and Melanie Page for a tax abatement, which was denied by the town.

The town had reduced the valuation on the parcel from $35,800 to $27,100. The Pages were asking that it be reduced to $13,365, according to County Clerk Patricia Fournier.

– John Plestina