POLAND — Selectmen on Tuesday approved posting no trespassing signs on the Lower Range Dam for safety reasons.

Fire Rescue Chief Mark Bosse noted the current and suction in the area of the dam posed a very real threat to any one in or near the water.

“I support such a move. People don’t realize just how dangerous it is there,” Bosse said. “I don’t want to be pulling anyone out of there.”

The bridge over Waterhouse Brook, near the Fire Rescue Station, has already been posted with “no swimming” and “no diving” signs, but the nearby dam, which is owned by the town, still attracts a fair number of swimmers.

Selectmen, citing town liability in the matter, agreed to put up no trespassing signs on the dam — a stronger move than just no swimming and diving — in order to prevent fishing from the top of the dam.

They also agreed that the dam ought to be fenced off to better make the point, but made no immediate plans to put one up.

The dam is also known as the Fire Rescue Station Dam.

In an unrelated matter, Bosse also informed selectmen that the Fire-Rescue Station Building committee has received bid proposals from three firms interested in the project to upgrade and expand the station.

“We’re now reviewing the proposals and will come in with a recommendation soon,” Bosse said.

Firms submitting proposals are: P. M. Construction, Sheridan Corp. and Wright Ryan.

After meeting with the owners of Shaker Hill Nursery, Greg and Tim Morin, and John Cleveland, the town’s economic development adviser, selectmen authorized Cleveland to work with the engineering firm of Wright-Pierce to develop an estimate for what it would cost to extend the waterline recently installed in the South Village area to serve their business.

Selectmen also authorized Town Manager Rosemary Kulow to send out a request for proposals to firms who might be interested in insulating the Town Office building and to send out proposals to real estate firms interested in assisting the town in selling tax-acquired property.

Selectmen also awarded the contract for painting road centerlines to Lucas Stripping LLC of Sydney at a bid price of $7,165.98.

Following a public hearing on amendments to the town’s road ordinance aimed at reducing truck traffic on town roads that were not constructed to take the wear and tear they are now experiencing, selectmen agreed to hold a workshop to discuss the ramifications of the proposed changes before proceeding.

Selectmen agreed to hold a workshop on the road ordinance and a newly devised town governance policy on Aug. 30.

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