SABATTUS – Town officials said they will try to reach a compromise with the state highway department on the new $29,000 flashing town message sign.

Selectman Gino Camardese said the state Department of Transportation told the town that messages could be changed every 20 minutes, but not at intervals shorter than that.

“I could drive from Sabattus to Lewiston and then back to Sabattus before the sign would change,” he said. “This is an outrageous restriction.”

Had the board known this beforehand, said Selectman Mark Duquette, it would not have spent the town’s tax dollars on the sign.

The board has tossed the situation onto Police Chief Thomas Fales’ shoulders in hopes that he and the state can come to a compromise that can serve the town well and yet not be considered a distraction to drivers.

The newly purchased thermal-imaging camera ordered by the Sabattus Fire Department arrived at the time the town prepares to send its 3-year-old version out for repair. Fire Chief Robert Scott said he is not sure what caused the problem but believes it is minor. The new camera is being held at the Crowley Station. The cameras show hot spots at fire scenes.

The second camera was purchased in this year’s budget for $9,900 as part of a plan to have one at each Sabattus fire station.

Taxpayers are going to have to wait to see if the state will give the town $6,300 it paid unnecessarily for a building permit for the Sabattus Central School.

Superintendent Paul Malinski had been told by town Code Enforcement Officer Richard Behr that the $8.2 million project required a permit and fee. Later, Malinski discovered they were not required. Behr received 90 percent of the fee.

After addressing his concerns with the code enforcement officer and selectmen, Malinski submitted a form to the state in hopes it would compensate the town for the money.

Sabattus Watershed Partnership has opened its dams two weeks earlier than usual, draining water from Sabattus Pond down 3 feet, to allow for two maintenance jobs.