Board: Sabattus Selectmen

Met: Tuesday night

Delinquent taxes coming in

The scoop: The town is trying to collect about $99,000 in outstanding property taxes from 90 residential accounts. Three accounts that had received foreclosure notices have been paid off within the past week.

More transfer station woes

The issue: The board was asked for advice on repairing the wood and demolition debris retaining walls at the transfer station. According to Transfer Station Manager Jerry Sabins, the slabs are caving, and he would like to research the cost for repair.

Up next: The board instructed Sabins to call contractors and get a quote for repairs. The project cost will be on next year’s budget.

Town manager ad completed

The scoop: The Town Manager Search Committee has finalized an advertisement for the open manager position, which was reviewed by selectmen.

Board: SAD 52 Committee

Met: Thursday night

Governor’s plan lambasted

The issue: Superintendent Thomas Hanson, in a report to committee members, wrote that Gov. John Baldacci’s proposal to consolidate school districts “is not likely to come to pass.” And that many experienced superintendents in Maine do not support the plan.

The scoop: The governor’s plan would reduce school administrative units from 152 to 26. One version of the plan would split groups into districts with about 2,200 students – the same size as SAD 52.

Up next: The committee intends to draft a formal complaint concerning Baldacci’s plan, which will be available on the district’s Web site.

Too much state aid

The issue: Gov. Baldacci has made a point to criticize school districts that are exceeding the 50 percent state funding formula for schools that was implemented in 2005. According to Hanson, SAD 52 has been over the limit for the last two years. More than 80 percent of the school districts in Maine have exceeded the state’s portion of funding.

Up next: Hanson intends to review the funding formula, and the guiding ratios on which that formula is based. Also, he intends to gather data on high-performing schools to see how they compare with funding recommendations.

You can contact freelancer Glen Bolduc at gbolduc@lycos.com

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