BUCKFIELD — The Board of Selectmen voted Tuesday night to shorten the time for filing nomination papers for selectman due to the sudden death of Rodney Allen.

Papers will be available Dec. 11 and must be filed by Dec. 21. The election will be held Jan. 23 with polling hours 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.

The board observed a moment of silence for Allen at the beginning of the meeting.

A special town meeting is set for 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at Buckfield Junior-Senior High School to vote on an amusement ordinance for Caption Bly’s Tavern on Route 117.

Town Manager Dana Lee reported on possible considerations to the employees handbook. He asked selectmen if they would reconsider leaving the sick time at 8 hours per month rather than cutting it in half.

Selectman Robin Buswell said he would be willing to reconsider, but Selectman Martha Catevenis said she would not, so the cut stands.

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Apparently the issue was discussed in a workshop but no town employees were present. Town Clerk Cynthia Dunn and Rescue Chief Lisa Buck said they were not invited.

Catevenis said it was a public meeting.

Lee said sick leave was not on the agenda, so he didn’t alert employees that it might come up.

Dunn said she thought it unfair that new employees were given benefits during their probationary period and yet longtime employees’ benefits were cut. She also said she thought a workshop was only for the board and therefore she didn’t attend.

The board gave Lee approval to get bids for a new fire station and for fixing the old one so firm figures could be given to the town.

They also approved Lee pursuing the purchase of a 2001 Ford and to sell the other two town trucks.

Hope Raymond was appointed to the Planning Board to fill a vacant seat.


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