MINOT — With the start of the 2015 budget season on their doorstop, selectmen on Monday discussed some of big-ticket items that could be on the March town meeting warrant.

Town Administrator Arlan Saunders told the board he expects the Dec. 1 meeting among the Conservation Commission, the Recreation Committee and the Minot-Hebron Athletic Association will produce a request for developing a new soccer/multipurpose field at Minot Memorial Park.

“I believe they’re looking at about a $45,000 project and may be trying to figure out whether to build it over one or two years,” Saunders said.

The highway department, Saunders said, has determined that repair of two relatively large culverts could prove very expensive, with the estimate for work on Goodwin Road running at $45,000 just for the culvert.

“It requires an open bottom. We’re looking at alternatives; maybe concrete piers and steel tube,” Saunders said.

The double culvert, consisting of three-foot and five-foot diameter tubes, on Verrill Road could possibly be replaced with conventional twin five-foot diameter culverts.

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Saunders said both projects have to be done as the roads are caving in at both sites and the town crew is there every week.

Fire Chief Dean Campbell put a price tag on the alternative solution to the fire/rescue department’s space constraint problems. Financing it over four years, he estimated it would cost about $180,000 for additions to the Orchard Station and the Central Fire Station.

The two-project solution, Campbell said, is not ideal but would meet the department’s immediate space needs.

Selectmen will begin reviewing proposals for the 2015 budget at its Dec. 8 meeting.

Saunders noted that all proposals must be submitted to him by Dec. 3 at the latest.

In other business, selectmen approved a contract for the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department to provide emergency dispatching service, authorizing Saunders to sign on the town’s behalf.

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Town Treasurer Holly Packard reported she will send foreclosure notices to property owners who have failed to pay their 2012 taxes. She said that, as of Monday, there are 25 accounts that will be in foreclosure Jan. 15 unless the owners pay up.

Packard also announced that applications for the town’s two scholarship funds, the Roland and Noellla Hemond Scholarship and the Kurt Theriault Memorial Scholarship, are available for residents interested in continuing their educations beyond high school.

Selectman Eda Tripp thanked residents who supported efforts to provide 18 Thanksgiving dinner baskets and reminded people she is gathering food and gifts for a like number of Christmas baskets.

Selectmen also announced that the annual tree lighting ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, in front of the Town Office. The Community Club and the Minot Historical Society will provide fun and refreshments, and Santa is scheduled to make his appearance by about 6:30 p.m.


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