OXFORD – An outspoken Tom Cushman made his point Thursday night when he objected to the manner in which town officials notified residents of spending proposals. His concerns elicited a lively discussion at the selectmen’s meeting about the notification process.

Residents were notified about the 47-item warrant to be discussed at Saturday’s town meeting, and officials made the document available for perusal at the town office.

Cushman, however, felt that residents should have received copies of the document in the mail or via some other means.

Town officials agreed that documents of that nature should be more readily available to voters, but were not keen on the idea of a mass mailing due to costs.

Several residents suggested that the documents be made available in the news media, and Town Manager Michael Huston said he would investigate that option for future warrants.

Huston reported to the board on several issues, including positive comments he received about the cemetery. He reminded the assembled residents of the town meeting, which will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday at Oxford Elementary School, and of elections on June 8. Polls will be open from 8 a.m to 8 p.m. at the public safety building.

A permit for the Show, Shine and Drag event at Oxford Plains Speedway was approved, as was a tax abatement for personal property taxes in the amount of $11.83 for Safety Kleen, which has filed for bankruptcy.

Resident James Richardson’s appointment as a reserve police officer was unanimously approved.

Huston asked selectmen to consider changing the intersection of Number Six Road and East Oxford Road from a Y configuration to a T. He contended, in a memorandum dated May 26, that the Y allows motorists to “take the corner rather faster than may be prudent.” He said he feels that changing the configuration will not only make the corner safer but will alleviate some of the drainage issues that led to a washout there in December.

Selectmen agreed to have Huston pursue this action, which would require an easement and the removal of some nearby trees.

Resident Jerry Major requested a pole easement on Number Six Road to facilitate electrical service to a house he is building there. He said he is willing to pay the appropriate taxes to have all pole maintenance responsibility be that of Central Maine Power. Selectmen tabled the request until Major returns with a contract from CMP.

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