HARRISON — Selectmen opted to have voters decide whether to bond for what Town Manager George “Bud” Finch called long-term and economic road projects, according to the draft meeting notes.
At the Sept. 8 selectmen meeting, the board voted to place the road bond question on the Nov. 8 ballot, asking for a $1.37 million bond over five years.
If approved, the money would pay for work on Dawes Hill, Deer Hill, Buck, Fogg, Town Farm and Maple Ridge roads.
“The ability to catch up on a number of roads in a short period of time also will bring long-range savings with the institution of the comprehensive road plan,” the minutes read. “The bond would be tax neutral, as funding for the road projects is already in the current proposed budget plans for the next five years.”
A public hearing is set for Thursday, Oct. 13, before the selectmen meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. at the Town Office at 20 Front St.
Finch included in the meeting minutes the following timeline for road projects:
• 2011-16 — Work on Maple Ridge, Cape Monday, Chapman, Bruce, Haskell Hill, Lewis and Edes Falls roads, Smith, Winslow and School streets, and Ruby Lane.
• 2017 — Work on more than 45 miles of roads.
“In doing so, we would bring our roads up to a standard, which can be maintained over a 20-year period at a projected level annual cost,” Finch said of the work.
Work began this week on Temple Hill Road and included the roads inside East Shore Drive. It should take three weeks to complete, according to the minutes.
In other news, selectmen:
• Learned resident Kayla Laird would be starting work as the town recreation director on Monday, Sept. 12. She replaces longtime director Paula Holt, who retired at the end of August after 21 years at the helm;
• Held a public hearing on the state’s annual updates to the General Assistance Ordinance and approved the amendments;
• Approved a pole permit request from Central Maine Power for Deer Hill Road;
• Heard from Finch that the town’s finances for the first two months of the fiscal year are in better shape than last year, because expenses are below budget and revenues are ahead of budget.
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