BUCKFIELD – Selectmen responded to a survey by the Oxford County Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday night, indicating their top choices for programs.
They received the survey because of a recent decision by the Oxford County Chamber of Commerce that puts Buckfield within the new geographical borders of the local chamber.
Each board member completed the survey independently, and results showed they unanimously wanted more information on writing grants and roads and highways. The board voted to send the $250 membership dues and to host the January meeting of the Oxford chamber in Buckfield.
In other business, board members read a letter from the Sumner selectmen regarding $1,000 that Buckfield had requested for the Buckfield Recreational Committee. The letter stated that Buckfield and Sumner ball teams had allowed children from both towns to participate, but that Sumner had never asked for money. A meeting between the two towns’ recreational committees is being planned so the towns can work together.
Nicholas Dimaio was appointed to the Budget Committee.
The board approved a $3 hourly raise to Oxford County Sheriff’s Department officers who patrol the town. The raise is due to increases in gas prices and in benefits. Selectman Skip Stanley said that in his opinion the raise was excessive. Town Manager Glen Holmes noted that vandalism has gone down in the town.
The board agreed that funds from the Maine Department of Transportation’s Urban Rural Initiative Program will only be used for capital improvement of public roads.
The board also signed a request relating to the Recreation Committee’s Labor Day celebration, which will be held in the new park Sept. 3. There will be a public hearing on the issue at the board’s meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 2.
After an executive session, the board voted to hire Tyler Belanger of Sumner for the highway crew.
Comments are no longer available on this story