Board: Sabattus Selectmen

Met: Tuesday night

Tax recap

Issue: Selectmen set a new tax rate in July, raising it from $12.85 to $14.15.

The scoop: The $1.30 change has raised a few questions, including, why did it go up so much?

Up next: Selectmen agreed to hold a public workshop Tuesday, Aug. 24, at the town office at 6:30 p.m. to talk through an explanation. The Budget Committee has been invited.

The sign says

Issue: Only two towns in Maine have asked to set their own speed limits. One of those towns is Sabattus.

The scoop: That policy has been rethought. Police Chief Thomas Fales and Public Works Director Alan LeBlanc recommended to the board that the job should be handed back to the state. Setting speed limits is technical work.

Up next: Selectmen agreed. Any speed changes wouldn’t take place for a year.

Fire changes

Issue: A fire department reorganization has been in the works for a while. Chief Don Therrien proposed having a firefighter work per diem two shifts a week working through a checklist of maintenance issues at the Main Street fire station. Tasks are being done now on a volunteer basis.

The scoop: Therrien said he could make it happen within his existing budget.

Up next: After two selectmen questioned how effective the plan would be, the board voted 3-2 to approve the measure for a trial period.

Staff writer Kathryn Skelton can be reached at 689-2844 or kskelton@sunjournal.com

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