MINOT — Washburn and Son of Minot was awarded a contract Monday to provide loam for the fourth athletic field at Minot Community Park.

Its bid of $9,750 was the lowest of four received to screen, haul and spread 1,300 cubic yards of loam.

The company is doing excavation of the field.

Under a separate contract, the loam is being purchased from Twin Brook Farm of Minot for $5 per cubic yard.

Candace Gilpatric, representing the recreation committee in overseeing the field’s development, told the board an application has been made for a Modern Woodmen of America grant to seed the field. She said the plan is to get grass growing this fall so the field could be ready for full use by spring 2017.

Town Administrator Arlan Saunders said officials may have to consider hiring someone to mow, considering the athletic fields at the community park and memorial park, and the 28 small cemeteries in town that the public works crew maintain.

Saunders told the board he received a letter from the sixth grade class at Minot Consolidated School asking that property near and behind the school be posted for “No Hunting.”

Saunders said hunting is not permitted within 500 feet of a school. He said he would ask the Maine Municipal Association what action the town should take.

A five-acre parcel behind the school has a few vernal pools and walking trails that students use as a study lab. The sixth-graders said they would be willing to help post the land.

Fire Chief Dean Campbell told the board framing and roofing is well under way on the additions to the Orchard Station and the Central Fire Station. He said concrete floors will be poured as soon as the insulation and piping for radiant heat is installed. Members of the department are assisting with the heating system.

In other business, Selectman Eda Tripp gave the board information on possible tax rates, but the board deferred setting the rate until its Aug. 17 meeting.

Saunders advised that Goodwin Road will be closed to through traffic Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 12-14, to install a culvert for Cool Brook. One lane will be open at night.

Copy the Story Link