Met: Tuesday night

Audit nearing completion

The issue: An audit of the town’s 2005 books likely will be complete within the next two to four weeks, according to James A. George, the auditor selected by the state. George told selectmen Tuesday that he is in the process of reconciling his municipal investigation with the results of the school department’s audit from 2005.

In the past, the schools and the town did their own audits, said Town Manager Richard Chick. “The board is moving now to have one auditor do both departments.”

The change is scheduled to take effect with the 2006 audit.

Audit talks scheduled

The issue: Of the two companies that submitted bids to conduct the town and school department’s fiscal 2006 audits, only one proposals met town requirements. RHR Smith and Co. of Buxton bid $9,760 and $12,200, respectively, to audit the town and school ledgers.

Up next: Board members did not award an audit contract Tuesday. Instead they voted to set up a meeting with RHR Smith and Co. to discuss the proposal, and deferred action on the proposal to a future meeting.

Lower excise revenue

The scoop: The rate of excise tax collection – the town’s largest source of non-property-tax revenue – is slowing, said Finance Director Debbie Taber. Over several years, what used to be an annual increase of $80,000 to $90,000 has dropped now to $30,000 to $40,000.

Excise taxes are paid on vehicles, from cars and trucks to boats and ATVs.

Town officials attributed the decline to a combination of factors. Sluggish state and national economies, as well as spiking gas and cost-of-living prices, likely have limited disposable income people have to spend on recreational equipment, they said.

Town will share cost of change

The scoop: Changing the traffic plan at Poland Crossing to include a center turning lane from Route 26, superseding the original left-turn-only lane, will cost $1,800. Board members agreed to split the cost with developer Kevin Pacheco.

Dunkin’ Donuts, Subway and Family Dollar Store are committed to the development, but a tenant for the third building is yet to be found.

Board readies for new manager search

The issue: An advisory committee is being set up to screen applicants for town manager. Richard Chick leaves the post he has held for 33 years on June 30.

Chick said he would serve after June 30 if necessary, as interim manager, until a new person is hired.

No decisions were made Tuesday, but board members tentatively set the advisory committee’s roster at seven people. It likely will include two selectmen, a school committee member, at least one department head and two residents at-large. Further discussion is scheduled for the board’s May 1 meeting

Sabattus Board of Selectmen

Met: Tuesday night

Road crew denied early move to 10-hour days

The issue: Citing “contractual issues,” board members unanimously denied road commissioner John Hyde’s request for his crew to work four 10-hour days instead of five eight-hour days beginning next week instead of the usual date of May 25. Hyde said the longer day would be more productive. But Selectman Mark Duquette said he worried that a full day without any road workers on duty at this time of year would be asking for trouble, and cited this month’s unsettled weather as his evidence.

Is grader fixable?

The issue: Is the town’s grader worth fixing? Or would it make more sense to buy a new piece of heavy equipment? Resident Ken Spencer queried the board, and speculated about how many of the shoulders along town roads will need work this spring. Hyde, the road foreman, said he would find out how much repairs likely would cost. Board members agreed to discuss the issue during a future meeting.

Manager position has 16 applicants

The scoop: Maine Municipal Association has received 16 applications for the town manager’s position. Norm LaPlante said the search committee would spend several weeks reviewing resumes before presenting the board with “one or two” favorites.

Emergency radio frequencies a problem

The issue: To solve communication problems during town-wide emergencies, Sabattus is going old-school. Problem is, the solution is only temporary.

The scoop: Fire, police and rescue departments can’t talk directly to each other because their dedicated radio frequencies don’t overlap. But police Chief Tom Fales suggested using an older police frequency – which is not commonly used any more but is still licensed – to solve the problem. However, the frequency is only valid until 2011, when the signal’s bandwidth will be discontinued, according to federal regulations.