STRONG – State Rep. Tom Saviello, U-Wilton, attended Strong’s selectmen meeting Tuesday night to give a special award to Beatrice Milewski for her long-term dedication to community service.

Due to medical reasons, Milewski was unable to attend the meeting. Her best friend, Elaine Allen, accepted the award from the state and a vase of flowers on her behalf.

Milewksi is involved in music and has taught the subject at SAD 58 and Carrabassett Valley High School among other schools. She has a radio show, “Aunt Bee’s Kitchen,” and owns the local restaurant, The Lunchbox.

While there, Saviello informed selectmen about recent state legislative events including the possible consolidation of school districts and how this would affect Strong. Since SAD 58 has three schools functioning at levels of “high performance” – Phillips, Mt. Abram and Strong, consolidation will be up to the district.

If ready, a vote will be held in January, with June the final deadline for deciding. The issue will be discussed further at upcoming school board meetings.

The Strong Advancement Committee polled about 100 people during the election Tuesday about how they would like to see Strong in the next few years. Many took the survey home to ponder the questions. Surveys can be found in town.

Concerned about the youth, Mike Pond went to the Strong Advancement committee last week to inquire about acquiring a bus to be used for youth transportation. Pond believes the town could purchase an inexpensive but sturdy bus from District 58 surplus and that this purchase would “enhance the town.”

The Fire Department will be receiving a new truck the week of July 23. The Fire Department is two-thirds of the way through training men to be qualified for operating a driving apparatus. Scott Dyar, of the fire department, said the department is having difficulty finding instructors from the state for training in the fall.

Concerns about driving access to cemeteries in the town were discussed. During Memorial Day, visitors were unable to access a cemetery as the road was blocked. Selectmen plan to look into this issue and discuss it at the next meeting at 7 p.m. on June 26.