POLAND — The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday approved several new projects, including replacing the wheelchair lift in the Town Hall.

 

Selectmen directed Town Manager Bradley Plante to look into a vertical lift similar to the one in Ricker Library and to report back with his recommendations. 

The estimated cost is between $25,000 and $30,000.

 

The lift was installed in the 1980s and the company that maintains it has said it can no longer get parts to fix it.

 

Selectmen also agreed to recommendations by Code Enforcement Officer Nick Adams to add a one-stall unisex toilet and sink on the upper floor in the old recreation office to make it compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The  improvements are estimated to cost under $5,000.

 

Selectmen also approved a request for proposals for the purchase of a skid steer/multiuse tractor with prices for snowblower and bush hog attachments. The units would be used to clear snow from the downtown sidewalks and cut brush along roadways.

 

Plante said that up to half of the estimated $60,000 cost for the skid steer would be eligible for funding from the downtown tax-increment financing district, and the remainder would be paid out of the capital improvement project funds.

 

Selectmen awarded the contract for paving work on Carpenter Hill Road to Shaw Brothers Construction of Gorham for $60,054. Pike Industries, the only other bidder, submitted a price of $64,877.

 

Selectmen also signed a contract with the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office for the 2016-17 fiscal year for $217,636, the same price as last year.

 

Selectmen made official the names for two new roads, Kinney Woods Lane and Buzzy’s Way, both in the vicinity of Estes Way.

 

Plante said demolition of the McConaghy House between the Town Hall and Ricker Library has been completed. The Public Works Department will finish the work on the site as time permits. This includes filling in the well and septic system, and removing the driveway and walkways.

 

Plante reported that costs-to-date total $19,798, with one more invoice expected from CES, the firm that handled asbestos abatement.

 

Plante also thanked the town Safety Committee and department heads for their efforts in support of the town’s loss prevention program, which kept insurance claims down and resulted in the town receiving a dividend check for $5,956 from the Maine Municipal Association workers’ compensation fund/property and casualty pool.

 

Plante said work has started on the Five Corners project, which includes installing traffic lights at the intersection of Routes 11 and 26. He advised townspeople that traffic at the intersection will see short delays, and electronic signs with alternative route information will be posted on Routes 26 and 11.

 

The project is scheduled for completion by June 2017.