BUCKFIELD – Town Manager Glen Holmes had high praise Tuesday for the Planning Board and Comprehensive Plan Committee after receiving a letter from the State Planning Office congratulating those who contributed to “creating this commendable plan and Buckfield’s voters for adopting it.”

“In reviewing the submitted plan and the goals of the state’s Planning and Land Use Regulation Act, the State Planning Office identifies NO inconsistency with the Act. Congratulations,” wrote Frank Hample, planning office review coordinator.

Hample had several suggestions which the committee may consider when it updates the plan in the future.

In other business at Tuesday night’s selectmen’s meeting, Holmes read a letter from SAD 39 Superintendent Richard Colpitts informing the board that the School Board filed a letter of intent to consolidate administrative duties with Union 29 in Poland and SAD 52 in Turner. Colpitts said he is continuing conversations with SAD 17 in Oxford, which is the preferred choice for consolidation.

Colpitts said there will be a planning committee to study consolidation. It will have one town official, one school board member and one resident-at-large. The committee must determine the: composition and apportionment of the governing body, method of voting, disposition of real and personal property, disposition of debt, collective bargaining issues, transition budget and alternatives should any of the municipalities fail to approve the plan. This report must be turned in to the state commissioner of education by Dec. 1. The board voted to have Holmes serve on the committee as the town official.

Holmes said he will push to continue dialogue with SAD 17.

The town manager thanked Amy Beaucage, Penny Holmes and Rossie Kyllonen for the great job they did in making the Labor Day activities so successful.

“The weekend was just phenomenal,” he said.

He thanked all who attended.

Holmes read a report on the Swap Shop at the waste transfer station that stated the shop recycled a lot of merchandise in August. Anyone interested in working a few hours in the shop, may call the town office.

Oscar Gammon motioned to put master switches on all the town equipment in light of the recent fire in one of the town’s vehicles. The motion was approved.

Holmes reported that the town received $477 from the Maine Municipal Association for the town’s workers compensation.

The board approved a catering permit for food and liquor to be delivered to the Oddfellow Theater on Saturday, Sept. 8, to celebrate the start of its 10th season.