POLAND — The RSU 16 School Committee on Monday learned that the town of Poland is not interested in plowing and sanding the parking lots and roadways in school facilities here.

In a letter to Committee Chairwoman Mary Ella Jones, Town Manager Rosemary Kulow explained that, in an effort to reduce public service costs, the Poland Public Works Department has reduced the manpower and the equipment to do the extra work.

Kulow also noted that the town had no intention of adding personnel or expanding its force at this time.

Meeting with selectmen three weeks ago, school officials explained that the dump truck they are now using needs to be replaced and, with the budget as tight as it is, they would like to avoid the expense.

At the time, Jones had suggested that it would be more efficient if the town, which was already taking care of roads, took care of the school roadways and lots as well.

School officials asked if the town would assume responsibility for plowing school facilities in exchange for the free use by the town — primarily the Recreation Department — of the facilities.

Kulow suggested the school department might track the direct, specific costs associated with the Recreation Department’s use, and bill the town accordingly.

School Committee member Ed Rabasco noted there are schools that bill towns for services provided.

“But we really don’t want to price Recreation out of business,” School Committee member Terri Arsenault said.

Arsenault suggested principals in RSU 16 schools — similar overtures were also made to Mechanic Falls and Minot — do a time study of the use of their facilities.

Arsenault, who is also chairman of the budget subcommittee, said the plow truck should be kept in the budget, for the time being.

“Or add in the cost to hire out,” Jones added.

In a related matter, Arsenault noted that the budget subcommittee will be meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, at the Elm Street School to hear the last of the budget presentations. Afterward, it will begin an overall review of the budget.

Interim Superintendent Michael Wilhelm introduced himself to the committee and said he found the Central Office staff to be very helpful his first week on the job.

He was hired March 5 to fill in for Superintendent Dennis Duquette.

Duquette and Business Manager Rick Kusturin were placed on paid leave following a special School Committee meeting on Feb. 27.

Jones said she could not provide details on why the action was taken and how long it will last.

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