OXFORD – Selectmen approved several Economic Development Advisory Committee requests Thursday, including money to develop a town Web site.
“We have been meeting every two weeks on things to help the town,” committee member Tom Kennison said. “We want to develop a town Web site.”
Kennison explained that the $2,750 would finance the site as well as pamphlets about what Oxford has to offer businesses and ads thanking businesses for moving into the community.
Kennison also requested that the board put the committee on its next agenda to discuss setting up a Tax Increment Financing package for the development of the former drive-in theater site on Route 26. Home Depot has plans to build on the site.
“That money could help the town and save taxpayers money,” Kennison said.
Kennison suggested some of the TIF funds could help defer the cost of the road at the site, and for improvements to Route 26 that will be needed.
The board agreed and invited the committee to its next meeting.
Kennison also asked the board to approve the Enterprise Maine request of $12,000 using the Wal-Mart water line TIF funds, not tax dollars.
He said Enterprise Maine has been a lot to help to the committee, he said.
Board members asked what would happen to the $12,000 request that Enterprise Maine submitted to the Budget Committee for inclusion in the June town meeting warrant, and Kennison said it would be withdrawn. The board approved giving Enterprise Maine $12,000 from economic development funds.
The board approved an Economic Development Advisory Committee request to include an article on the town meeting warrant not to post Station Road from Route 26 to East Oxford Road and East Oxford Road as far as Record Lumber mill.
Kennison noted the article would call for posting the road when it is absolutely necessary, rather than when roads are posted townwide.
“We’re trying to make a business in town easier to operate,” Kennison said.
Town Manager Michael Chammings noted that under the proposed article, the Board of Selectmen would have final say. The article would eliminate the annual meeting that Record Lumber representatives attend to request a posting waiver.
That meeting occurred last month.
Selectman Dave Ivey noted the road is already damaged and asked who is going to repair it.
“Someone has to be held accountable,” he said.
Board members discussed the issue and decided to let voters decide by including it on the town meeting warrant.
In other business, the board met with Pat Cook of Pace Ambulance Service to discuss options for Pace to serve the community. Selectman Dennis Sanborn asked if Pace is charging communities based on population, and Cook said it charges only the patient using the ambulance.
Sanborn also asked whether Pace would be willing to house an ambulance in Oxford.
Cook said Pace would need to review service call numbers, but would probably need to add another ambulance, and would be open to housing one in the community.
Cook agreed to put together a proposal for the community for the April 21 board meeting.
The town has its own Oxford Rescue service.
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