TURNER — The Board of Selectmen meeting  Monday heated up when a proposed amendment to greatly reduce the authority of the Androscoggin County Budget Committee came up for discussion.

Town Manager Kurt Schaub provided documentation prepared by Lewiston City Administrator Ed Barrett outlining the basic problems of the amendment, which will appear on the November ballot.

Barrett’s documentation pointed out that Section 3.7 of the county charter states that “salaries and benefits of county elected officials must be approved by the county Budget Committee,” and that 13 of the 14 municipalities in Androscoggin County have taken legal action against the County Commission to bring them into conformity with that section.

If the amendment passes, the Budget Committee will only have an ‘approve or deny’ role in the process, with no specific input into the county budget.

Selectmen unanimously voted to oppose the amendment.

Concerns about the loss of checks and balances were weighing heavily during the conversation as Selectman Ralph Caldwell, a member of the county Budget Committee, stated plainly, “I have no desire to continue to serve on a committee with no hope of having any effect.”

Selectman Denis Richardson went ever further, describing the current County Commission as a “regime.”

An open meeting will be held 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 26, at the Town Office to further discuss the topic with an aim at informing the public prior to the Nov. 3 election, with a “to-be-announced” guest speaker. Fliers encouraging opposition to the measure will be posted and distributed.

John Moulton presented his Public Works report Monday, noting that the transition to single-sort recycling was enthusiastically received by many residents.

Schaub echoed that opinion, saying that several people came into the Town Office and appeared happy with the cleaner, dust-free environment.

The new system will be tweaked, including adding a shelter at the control panel and improving traffic flow.

In other action, selectmen:

* Heard that the long-awaited replacement bell has finally landed on American soil in Cincinnati, Ohio, where it will be mounted in preparation for final shipment and eventual display at the Town Office.

* Awarded a contract for the GAR Hall septic system project to KRU and Sons.

* Tabled a debate on whether residents will have access to free sand for the winter months until the feasibility of keeping people honest in the amount of sand they take can be determined.

* Heard a progress report on the cleanup of a local junkyard.

* Renewed Antigoni’s liquor license.

* Recognized Tom Standard with a framed award in honor of his many years of excellent service in covering town meetings.

The next selectmen meeting is Monday, Nov. 2, at the rescue barn because of the elections Nov. 3.