BUCKFIELD – Town Manager Glen Holmes has apologized to people who have complained about road conditions.

He said one plow truck was out of service as well as the loader. And there is no more salt. Portland is out and the closest source is in New Hampshire, but there is a long waiting list for salt, he said.

Holmes said the town’s John Deere loader has multiple problems.

Selectman Chairman Skip Stanley said he thought the town should look at getting a new loader now. Selectman Oscar Gammon said he saw no sense in putting out a lot of money to fix the Deere loader because it would still be a 23-year-old machine.

Holmes will bring figures to the next meeting on the cost of a new loader and as well as the cost to have the old one repaired.

Holmes read a letter from town attorney Geoffrey Hole concerning a request by Rick Stevens to have access over the town railroad bed to his home.

Stevens has a 10-foot access to his property but would like additional access. Hole said the town would have to act on granting the access after selectmen approved putting the issue before voters.

Holmes presented a revised employment policy to the board to clarify a situation over holiday pay for part-time employees. The policy states that after a three-month probationary period, the part-time employees will be eligible for holiday pay if the holiday falls on a regularly scheduled day of work.

At the budget workshop, Holmes proposed a 3 percent pay raise for town employees. He gave selectmen a list of 43 towns with their proposed increases, which averaged 3.17 percent.

The proposed rescue budget of $125,603 showing an increase of 2.70 percent was presented by rescue Chief Lisa Buck. She said most of the increase is for fuel. Holmes praised the department for keeping costs in check.

Holmes had been asked by selectmen to research using other town’s rescue vehicle. He checked with PACE and United Ambulance services and was told they couldn’t serve the town for under $250,000.

Stanley said he wanted to discuss expanding the town service to include more towns to better cover the cost of the service. It will be discussed at the next regionalization meeting on March 4.