HARTFORD – The chairman of the Board of Selectmen has resigned in hopes that his departure will help the board to work better together.
The two remaining selectmen, Lee Holman and Laura Marston, accepted Scott Swain’s resignation during their regular meeting last Thursday.
“I want to thank all the wonderful folks I worked with and the many wonderful people in town that supported our efforts to open up the town government to all,” Swain said during the meeting. “I have enjoyed serving the town to the best of my abilities, but feel that my leaving this position may allow a healing in the split between the Board of Selectmen.
“Up until this point,” he continued, “there has been no real effort made to work together, and my hope is that my leaving will force the board to work together for the good of the town. If that does not happen, it will quickly become apparent to the taxpayers where the problem lies, and I hope they will deal with it effectively.”
It was mutually decided that Holman would chair the Thursday night meeting.
Holman and Marston voted to send residents on Berry Road a letter citing the policy of not plowing snow from private driveways into the roadway.
Holman noted that some towns have certain hours when people can come to the office with a request for general assistance. She suggested that people contact her personally in these situations. Marston suggested Holman draft a policy for the next meeting.
Road Commissioner Alan McNeil had alerted the town office that the town was out of salt. Dave Kraske of the road committee was present and said he thought one load should see the town through the rest of winter.
Kevin Ryan of the waste committee recommended Willie Bragg be appointed to the committee, which the board approved.
Kraske said the road committee is looking ahead at a bridge replacement on Town Farm Road and asked permission to investigate terms for loans of between $50,000 and $60,000. Holman said she would check with the Maine Department of Transportation for estimated costs.
The ordinance committee asked that any proposals brought to the committee contain signatures equal to at least 10 percent of the ballots cast in the most recent gubernatorial election. The policy now requires only 25 signatures.
Selectmen approved the amendment, which will be decided at town meeting.
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