Board: Sabattus selectmen

Met: July 22

Beach use

The scoop: Too many people from out of town are frequenting the town’s Martin Point beach, according to police Chief Tom Fales. A sign warning that the beach is for resident-use only will be erected, as well as a gate to enforce nighttime closure.

Speeders

Issue: Board Chairman Mark Duquette said he received complaints about motorists driving too fast along Ball Park Road. He requested that police patrol the road more frequently.

Road issue

The scoop: Board members still don’t know whether or not the town is responsible for maintaining Ben’s Hill Road. According to a town report from 1964, residents voted to close five roads, including Ben’s Hill Road. But the official minutes from that meeting haven’t been located.

Up next: Board members set an Aug. 5 deadline for locating the official meeting minutes from 1964. If the minutes cannot be found, Maine Municipal Association representatives advised Gill to consider the road abandoned due to non-maintenance for more than 30 years. A public hearing then would be scheduled and the board’s decision filed with the county’s Registry of Deeds.

Bar’s licenses approved

Issue: Board members renewed a liquor license and awarded a one-year special amusement permit to Mixers owner Mike Yohe. In return, Yohe agreed to try several methods of reducing noise levels from live entertainment at the bar.

Arsenic levels

The scoop: Elevated arsenic levels at the landfill are a natural occurrence caused by its bedrock rather than the result of its contents, according to a report filed by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection.

No snakes

Issue: People were scared away from this year’s Sabattus Festival because of a snake-wielding patron who also attended the fair. As a result, board members decided that the 2009 festival will be a “no pets allowed” affair.

Contact JT Leonard with municipal news items at 252-6040 or at [email protected] with “Town News” in the subject line.