TURNER – Selectmen got bogged down in lengthy discussion concerning the town’s relationship with the new Turner Center for the Arts and how the center can finance its operations and payroll until town meeting in April.
A motion to pay from contingency funds the salaries of the directors of the center that have been billed to date, with the directors returning $3,200 that was approved for start-up, was passed. But a drafted lease agreement was defeated on a 3-2 vote when center co-Director Jennifer Wadsworth protested that the Center Steering Committee had not even been shown the document.
It will be brought before the board at its next meeting Tuesday, Jan. 17, after being reviewed by center leadership. The center has been operating as a subcommittee of the Leavitt Institute Building Committee and has brought in revenue through two exhibits and other functions since opening in October. Payment of its expenses until its relationship with the town can be decided by town meeting have been a point of contention for more than a month.
In other action Tuesday, the board noted that about 20 residents were present for the public hearing on the town’s request for a $100,000 Community Development Block Grant for accessibility improvements and a second floor addition to the Boofy Quimby Memorial Center. Voters at a recent special town meeting committed $84,000 from unappropriated surplus to the project.
Residents present were asked to consider serving on a committee that will be formed to guide the project if the grant is approved by the state. Included in the grant request will be information that the BQMC will serve as a shelter or receiving area by the community during any emergency.
Town Clerk Eva Leavitt announced that the town has joined the rapid renewal program whereby motor vehicle registrations can be done electronically with no hassle and no waiting in line.
She produced her own registration that she said had been completed in about three minutes on her home computer through the town’s Web site, complete with a temporary registration, and her formal registration received in the mail three days later. Interested motor vehicle owners in Turner should contact the town office, 225-3414, for further information. She said the town collects 100 percent of the excise tax for the registrations, but no fee.
After little debate, winter roads will be posted no sooner than Feb. 20 and remain posted no later than April 20. Selectman Ralph Caldwell said earlier postings that last longer are a financial hardship on farmers and businesses.
Town Manager James Catlin said he is working on a proposed budget for the coming fiscal year and hopes to have a draft finalized by the end of the week. He said the Budget Committee will begin its work next Monday and will be meeting right through February in preparation for the April town meeting.
Catlin also reported he is working on a planning grant for an expansion and improvements and the town Transfer Station. He also said he has included $25,000 set aside for the town to begin funding that project. He also said the Solid Waste Committee is working diligently planning the project.
Comments are no longer available on this story