Board: Sabattus selectmen

Met: Dec. 18

Holiday baskets

The scoop: Town police officers this week delivered 120 food baskets to elderly residents. The baskets were prepared by Sister Lucille at Loaves & Fishes, a local food bank.

Tax liens discharged

Issue: Tax Collector Rani Allard discovered 141 old tax liens that have been satisfied and should have been discharged. Doing so will cost the town $1,833, which is more money than is contained in the Registry of Deeds account.
Up Next: Since blame lies with the town for not dismissing the liens, board members voted 4-1 to pay the entire amount and make up the difference from other accounts. Selectman Guy Desjardins logged the sole opposing vote. He said the town should pay only what it had available in the Registry of Deeds account; that amount was not immediately available.

Furnace repairs

The Scoop: The fire station’s furnace needs about $500 worth of repairs, according to Fire Chief Robert Scott. In addition to a circulator that Scott himself donated from spares he had at his house, new igniters and a few other replacement parts are needed.

Meeting rescheduled

Issue: Because the selectmen’s regular meeting date falls on New Year’s Day, board members pushed it back a week to Jan. 8. Also that night, the board will meet with Tax Assessor Donna Hayes at 5:30 p.m. to discuss abatements.
Up Next: The board’s second monthly meeting remains scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at Town Hall.

Town Hall closed

The scoop: Selectmen agreed to close the town hall for the entire day on Christmas Eve. Employees will be paid for half the day; the other half will be taken either from accrued personal or vacation time.

Water testing needed

Issue: State geologist Richard Behr notified officials that four wells at the town’s transfer station, in addition to a pair of private residential wells nearby, will need water quality testing.

Up Next: Testing will be paid for by the town but done by staff from the state’s Department of Environmental Protection. The tests should cost no more than $2,500, Behr said, and a separate account will be set up to track the spending.

Water testing needed

The scoop: Board members Tuesday named James Cyr and Hannah Rancourt to the Solid Waste and Recycling Committee. Rancourt earlier this month announced that she wanted to serve on the committee. However, because she is a minor, Rancourt needed special permission. After consulting with the Maine Municipal Association, selectmen appointed the youth as a junior member.
Stacy Dostie was named to the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee.