STRONG — Selectmen on Tuesday evening agreed to hire Tanis Scammon Chabot of Strong as part-time custodian.

She will maintain the public beach and the Forster Memorial Building.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Jim Burrill said he and Selectman Dick Worthley interviewed candidates and recommended Chabot.

She will work a probationary period, and selectmen will review her performance over the next month.

The town needs a lawnmower and Worthley, who researched models, recommended a John Deere, which offers a no-interest financing plan with monthly payments of $47.50 spread over the rest of the fiscal year. The balance will be in next year’s budget.

He offered to do additional research, and selectmen will make a decision at the next meeting.

Selectman Mike Pond was not in attendance, so Burrill said he was unable to provide any information about swimming lessons on Porter Lake. The town shares the program’s costs with New Vineyard, but Strong has contributed $600 to cover costs without having to charge each child.

Selectman Rob Elliott said the volunteers who work at the Lance Cpl. Scott Paul Park would like to build a playground there. The group has received a grant, he said, so any volunteers building the playground would have to have their own liability insurance. Individually, they can apply to the state for a waiver, according to Burrill.

If the volunteers build the playground in another location, the insurance requirement doesn’t apply.

In other news, Burrill said the the first of the three new green and gold signs would soon greet visitors at the south entrance to the town.

Fire Chief Duayne Boyd reminded selectmen of the parade and a chicken barbecue, along with other events Friday, July 1. The Strong Historical Society will be open to the public at no charge from 2 to 6 p.m., and The White Elephant will have live music on the porch. The parade starts down Main Street at 6 p.m.

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