MINOT — Selectmen on Monday asked Town Administrator Arlan Saunders to send a letter to the RSU 16 School Committee urging rejection of a proposed policy that would require community groups that want to use school facilities to carry $100,000 in liability insurance coverage.

Selectman Dean Campbell wondered whether this meant local Boy Scouts would have to have some sort of special coverage as, from what he knew, what they now have covers personal liability but not property liability.

“I don’t know why they’re doing it,” Campbell said. “What they’re proposing will annoy about every civic group there is.”

Selectman Eda Tripp said she had asked a School Committee member for more information on what sort of insurance coverage the district has now, what it covers and what it costs, but hadn’t heard as yet.

Selectman Dan Gilpatric said he was pretty sure the RSU was carrying adequate insurance and suggested it made more sense for them to continue to do so, rather than forcing any number of smaller community groups to purchase their own.

Gilpatric noted that community groups have been using facilities at the Minot Consolidated School for years without any problems.

And not just organized community groups, Tripp pointed out, but sometimes just people in the community.

“This Saturday we’re having a supper for Blackie and Jackie Labbe (whose Center Minot Hill house burned the end of December), Tripp said, “just a bunch of people who got together to do something for them, and we’re expecting a turnout that will pack the gym.”

The board also asked Saunders to contact the town attorney to verify they have followed proper steps in proceeding with the foreclosure for failure to pay property taxes on three properties in town.

The main problem is that owners haven’t acknowledged notices by certified letters and the like that have occurred along the way, causing selectmen to wonder whether having a law enforcement official serve the property owners face to face with papers just to make sure they are aware that the town technically owns their properties.

Highway Department Supervisor Scott Parker reported that he had to close Death Valley Road on Saturday night and on Sunday had hauled in gravel in an attempt to make the road passable.

Saunders said about 140 cubic yards had been brought in, making the road almost passable, but not enough to allow through traffic.

“It will probably be closed until maybe next week, if things continue to dry out properly,” Saunders said.

Saunders also reported that a citizen had donated two new (refurbished) computers to the town that should fill the void for the upgrades that need to be done.

He estimated this would save the town about $1,000.

Selectmen voted to begin their next meeting, scheduled for Monday, April 14, at 6:30 p.m. in order to accommodate a 7 p.m. public hearing that Central Maine Power will hold regarding upgrading one of their transmission lines that passes through the northerly portion of town.

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