TURNER — After working with a foundry for more than two years, selectmen decided to ask for the town’s money back.

At their regular meeting Monday night, selectmen reviewed efforts to get the foundry to perform. The foundry had contracted to cast a bell to replace the town bell that was stolen. The town made a 50 percent deposit on the price of $7,480.

The foundry’s latest promise was to deliver the bell in time for the 2015 Fourth of July celebration. When they missed this delivery date, they offered to return the town’s deposit or to import a bell from England.

Town Manager Kurt Schaub provided the selectmen with copies of the quotes received when bids were first sent out. There are only four foundries in the U.S. that claim to produce a 24-inch diameter bell. The weight and composition of the bells vary with different foundries. Schaub will investigate the significance of these differences and bring recommendations to the selectmen.

Selectman Ralph Caldwell recommended investigating the availability of a second-hand bell.

In other business, selectmen held three public hearings, each concluding without public comment.

Following the first public hearing, selectmen approved a license for Jessica Blanchard and Sara Austin. They have purchased Trenchy’s in the Northland Plaza.

The second public hearing was for applications to renew junkyard licenses. Code Enforcement Officer Roger Williams provided the selectmen with photographs of the four facilities and the board agreed the owners were making adequate progress in implementing improvements. All of the licenses were renewed.

The third public hearing was to approve revisions to the state limits on General Assistance.  Schaub said there are strict limits on income that can only be waived in “pretty dire, pretty extreme,” circumstances. He said that an inventory of assets is taken the first time an application is made. If the resident must return for more aid, they must exhaust their financial resources and dispose of things such as boats and snowmobiles. Schaub said that last year, less than $4,000 was expended on GA and 50 percent of that was refunded by the state.

Public Works Director Jack Moultrie made his monthly report. He said work on installing the single-sort recycling facility is progressing on schedule.

The cost of road salt increased by $5.55 over last year to $61.44 per ton, he said.