MINOT – Stating that he just didn’t have the time to carry out the duties of his office at the level he would want, Selectman George “Buster” Downing, Monday night, tendered his resignation from the board effective the end of the month.

“I’ve enjoyed serving the town over the years but the work load is just too much and with the upcoming budget cycle, it’s better I leave now,” said Downing.

Downing noted that, due to a number of factors, his business, G.A. Downing Co., was demanding more of his time. He said that while he is working seven days a week, he couldn’t do justice to town work as well.

Downing has served on the Board of Selectmen for more than 11 years – first in the 1970s for two 3-year terms and more recently, from his election in March 1999 to the present.

Emphasizing that she never worked with anybody more dedicated and hard-working, Selectman Eda Tripp said, “You have given your all and I don’t like to see you go. No one in town realizes the amount of time it takes and what you have to do on this board.”

The board took no action toward filling the projected vacant seat.

Selectmen adopted by unanimous vote a mill rate of 14.0.

The new mill rate is down 2.5 mills from last year’s 16.5 rate. Tax bills will be in the mail first week of September.

Selectmen were quizzed on the status of two town roads.

June Clukey wanted to know what was happening to York Road and whether it was true that the town would have to reopen it.

Selectmen explained that the town is being sued by a person who recently purchased land toward the Death Valley end of York Road and the matter was entirely in the hands of lawyers at this point.

Clukey, said that she has lived in that area her entire life and is sure that it has not been maintained at all for at least 60 years.

“Why is there even a discussion about it,” said Clukey.

Selectmen also reported that lawyers are winding down the interviewing process regarding Old Buckfield Road and they hope to receive advice from the lawyers within the next few weeks.

Board Chairman Dean Campbell said that the board had not reached a decision on the road’s status and has made no declaration that it has been “presumed abandoned.” Campbell said that the board would only take action on the road status after a public hearing.

The board asked Road Manager Arlan Saunders, however, to prepare an estimate to bring the road up to passable condition.

In the discussion that followed, it was determined that “passable” meant vehicles could pass each other on the road and that it be capable of handling plow trucks, school buses and other town vehicles as well as residents’ vehicles.

Saunders was asked to do an estimate to bring the entire road, 2.8 miles in length, up to the standard.

Saunders reported that the town’s paving program will be completed this week as Jackson Hill Road has been completed and Garfield Road will be by Friday.

Saunders noted that he has been ditching on Simion and Hersey Hill roads and the material removed is being hauled to the school as fill for the area that recently was de-stumped.

Selectmen discussed how to respond to a billing from Windham Professionals Collection Agency.

The town has been billed $6,641, selectmen said, for what amounted to two days of workers compensation insurance.

It seems that last February, when the town was changing from MEMIC as its provider, to Maine Municipal Association’s plan, the town was alerted by its insurance agency that there would be a two-day gap between the policies. It was the town’s understanding that its contract with MEMIC would be extended two days to cover the gap. It now appears that the town is being billed as if it had broken a contract.

Selectmen found the billed amount $6,641 as “simply outrageous” considering the town’s contract for workers comp insurance for the year is $17,000.