JAY – Town Manager Ruth Marden noted at Monday night’s selectmen’s meeting that the building committee is looking to move forward, but is seeking direction from town officials on their wants.

Selectman Rick Simoneau suggested that the first thing the committee needs to decide is whether or not to get additional architects’ estimates for the old Jay Family Restaurant building, which the town is in the process of purchasing for $270,000. The purchase was recently approved in a special town meeting after Jay residents rejected a $1.3 million town office plan at an earlier meeting and asked for town officials to look at other options.

The next building committee meeting is scheduled for April 11, and once the architect ischosen, the committee will need to hammer out details with that contractor and put the project out to bid. At Tuesday’s meeting, selectmen were not willing to attach any estimate of a timeline to the process leading to occupying the new town office space.

In other business, the board approved sewer fee abatements for Charles Despres, $97.50; Paul Gilbert, $195; Terry Trask, $58.75; and Dorothy White, $190, all representing half the annual sewer assessment because the owners’ apartments or buildings are sitting vacant. The board rejected Mark True’s request for a $380 abatement, but agreed to a $50 annual abatement, as his property requires pumping of solids because the town sewer line is above grade so that his system cannot gravity feed into the town lines.

The owner could opt to put in his own septic drain field, it was noted. The board, on the recommendation of Sewer Superintendent Mark Holt, also agreed that another property owner in a similar situation, Michael Cox, should also receive a $50 annual abatement. The $50 represents the cost of pumping a septic tank every four years.

Town officials are discussing a change of the sewer fee schedule, to be based on the amount of water used, and an informational meeting will be scheduled. Jay has 1,100 sewer units and 795 connections that would be affected by a change.

A request to remove trees abutting a property by the old Jay Hill Cemetery was generally rejected. Marden said she walked the property line last fall and feels the trees provide a good buffer and prevent erosion. Most are healthy, and the board authorized the manager to contact a forester to ascertain if any need of them to be removed or trimmed. It was thought that as long as the trees remain healthy, they should stay.

Selectmen looked over a checklist on new playground equipment maintenance and wanted assurances there will be regular inspections and maintenance. The plan calls for inspections, and it was felt it would work best if one person is placed in charge of this task, probably a member of the school custodial staff.

One hour into the meeting, the board entered into an executive session to discuss personnel and legal issues. There was no action taken after the board returned to public session.