JAY — Selectpersons voted Monday to extend Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere’s contract for three years through June 30, 2019.

Her contract expires June 30. Her salary is $62,000 and will be adjusted at the same rate as the other department heads.

LaFreniere was the town’s code enforcement officer for 16 years before she was hired as manger on Jan. 14, 2013. The 1992 Jay High School graduate officially began her duties Feb. 24 that year.

Selectpersons praised her for her performance.

Selectperson Terry Bergeron told her he was “very impressed and appreciative of how you handle yourself. You are very good in pressure situations and really prepare us.”

The town has faced a number of high-pressure situations in the past few years, including Verso Corp.’s requests for reduction in valuations for tax years 2013 and 2014. The company has also eliminated 300 jobs from the Androscoggin Mill, shut down a paper machine and pulp dryer and sold its hydropower facilities, all since last November. The town has also privatized its curbside trash and recyclables collection and reduced the municipal workforce.

“You have handled it with a great deal of class,” Selectperson Tim DeMillo agreed.

“You’ve done an excellent job, Shiloh,” Selectperson Tom Goding said.

Chairman Justin Merrill agreed. Selectperson Steve McCourt was not at the meeting.

In other business, Merrill updated the board on the Spruce Mountain Sled-In and Winter Family Festival being organized by the Recreation Committee. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at the French Falls Recreation Area. It is on French Falls Lane, which runs beside the Knights of Columbus Hall on Route 4 and is across from Community Drive that leads to the middle and high schools.

There is another planning meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, at the Town Office.

Among the events planned are a bonfire, sleigh rides, ice skating, snowshoe race, 50/50 raffle, sliding on a snow mountain, food vendors and a snow sculpture/snowman contest, if there is enough snow.

People can come to the event via snowmobile trails, including on the Whistle-Stop Trail.

People will need to bring ice skates, sleds and snowshoes. There may be some snowshoes available for use.

The Recreation Committee is still looking for business support, monetary donations, and gift certificates or other prizes for the raffle, Merrill said. They also need a tent with sides.

There will be parking available at French Falls, Knights of Columbus and along French Falls Lane near Steve’s Tune N Tire and the Hair Doctor on Route 4.

Snowmobile clubs from Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls are helping.

dperry@sunmediagroup.net