Government at a glance

Board: Turner Selectmen

Met: Monday, Oct. 19

General assistance 

The issue: New income guidelines, set by Maine Department of Health and Human Services, needed to be reviewed.

The scoop: The town held a public hearing to address the changes in the general assistance income and overall maximum levels for food, housing, utilities, heating, personal care and household supplies.

Up next: The board adopted the increases; 8 percent for families of one or two, and 7 percent for families of three or more.

GAR hall and community house

The issue: Selectmen took walk-through tours of both the GAR hall and community house to see the areas needing repair.

The scoop:  The board held discussion of the site visit to those buildings, making note of the need for electrical repairs and
repairs to the bathroom facilities, in particular the gas-fired toilet. The need for a roof inspected
by a professional to determine if repair is needed was also discussed.

Up next: Town Manager Eva Leavitt is scheduling both the repairs and the inspection.

Municipal valuation

The issue: The annual review of the municipal valuation return, a detailed report of the town’s tax commitment, was due.

The scoop: The board reviewed the report that was signed in August.

Up next: Selectmen voted to sign it for filing by Nov. 1.

Appointments

The issue: Both the newly formed GAR hall/community house board of directors and the upcoming election referendum required appointments by the board.

The scoop: Selectmen reviewed both the board of directors’ position and the election warden position during Monday’s meeting.

Up next:  The board voted to appoint Harold Bradeen to serve on the GAR hall/community house board of directors and Rebecca Allaire to serve as election warden during the Nov. 3, 2009 referendum.

Annual audit

The issue: The annual audit of activities, reserve accounts, expenses and noted tax revenue was up for review. 

The scoop: The board reviewed the draft of the audit, prepared by Smith and Associates of Yarmouth.

Up next: Finding no changes, it was voted to accept the draft.

Contact reporter Tammy Chamberland at 689-28947 or via e-mail at [email protected].