Board: Turner Selectmen

Met: Monday night

Hiring, pay freeze

Issue: After discussion, selectmen approved a staff hiring freeze.

The scoop: Only one position is currently vacant, in public works. The freeze won’t apply to temporary help needed for elections.

Up next: Selectmen will revisit it, Town Manager Eva Leavitt said, when they feel “financially capable of making staff changes.” The board also approved an annual order for staff pay rates that, for the second year, didn’t include raises. That decision had been made by voters at town meeting.

Old Town House work a go

Issue: Turner won a $15,000 Davis Family Foundation grant for work restoring its aging town house.

The scoop: That money is being paired with $12,000 raised at town meeting.

Up next: Selectmen awarded roof and framing work for $24,500 to Gladu General Industries of Lewiston.

Fourth of July

Issue: The town’s hoping to have the new gazebo finished and Route 117 passable for the annual parade that kicks off the Festival on the Green at 9:30 a.m. July 4. (The road has been under repair.)

The scoop: The event is held on the lawn of the Leavitt Institute Building and runs until about 1 p.m. It will feature games for kids, access to Leavitt’s history rooms, a strawberry shortcake fundraiser and resident Dort Bigg opening up his big collection of taxidermy to the public.

Issue: The town office will close July 5 to observe the holiday. Selectmen will meet next July 6 at 7 p.m.

Staff writer Kathryn Skelton can be reached at 689-2844 or [email protected]