Board: Mechanic Falls Town Council

Met: Monday night

County commissioner controversy

Issue: The dispute between the Androscoggin County commissioners and the Sheriff s Department over the sheriff’s desire to hire a new night duty patrol officer.

The scoop: Councilman Daniel Blanchard noted that the Androscoggin County budget committee, of which he is a member, supported the sheriff’s request for an additional officer. The council directed Town Manager John Hawley to write a letter to the county commissioners in support of the sheriff’s request.

Storm damage

The scoop: Town Manager John Hawley said revised estimates of damage from the Patriot’s Day rainstorm indicated that reimbursement from FEMA will be between $22,000 and $25,000. Areas where damage was slight didn’t qualify for reimbursement.

Up next: The town has 18 months to submit its request for federal assistance but will respond within weeks.

Town elections

Issue: Voters on May 19 filled only one of two open school committee seats.

The scoop: David Griffiths was re-elected to the school committee with 105 votes; however, neither of the two people who received write-in votes for the second seat appear to be interested in the position. With the recent court decision holding that a municipal board cannot legally conduct business if one or more vacancies exists on the board, it is imperative that the seat be filled as soon as possible.

Up next: The council voted to ask the school committee to appoint a fifth board member. The person appointed will serve until the next municipal election.

Backhoe bid

The scoop: The council approved purchasing a new Case 580SM loader backhoe from Beauregard Equipment of Scarborough. Beauregard’s bid, with trade-in, is for $32,860 and was the lowest of three bids received.

– Winslow Durgin