Paris selectmen meeting 

Sept. 26, 2016

Town Office 

Overtime pay

What happened: Selectmen held an executive session before their regular meeting to discuss back overtime pay for two employees. They voted unanimously to pay $13,452 in overtime to the employees from the contingency fund.

What it means: Two employees weren’t classified properly and should have been receiving overtime pay for the past three years.

What’s next: The town should not have to pay overtime to these employees retroactively in the future. 

TIF presentation

What happened: Selectmen heard a presentation about Tax Increment Financing districts from Matt Eddy, economic development director for Kennebunk. They voted unanimously to spend up to $1,000 to start the evaluation of the town’s TIF situation.

What it means: Selectmen are looking for ways to stimulate economic growth by updating the TIF district to attract businesses and new residents.

What’s next: Town Manager Vic Hodgkins will meet this week with former interim Town Manager Sawin Millett to discuss the town’s TIF. Glen Holmes of Community Concepts Finance Corp. will reach out to a business that’s interested in coming to Paris if the TIF district is expanded, which would bring with it manufacturing jobs.

CEO search

What happened: Hodgkins told selectmen that the recent interview with the only code enforcement officer applicant “did not work out.”

What it means: The town continues its search for a CEO. Hodgkins signed CEO service agreements with former CEO Fred Collins and current assessor Jerry Samson to assist the town in the interim.

What’s next: Hodgkins said the town will cast a wider net in advertising for the position.

Catch basin project

What happened: Hodgkins told selectmen he met with Paris Utility District staff, Department of Environmental Protection staff, Highway Director Jamie Hutchinson and Rob Prue of Pine Tree Engineering to discuss the catch basin project.

What it means: The town must redirect stormwater flow from 22 catch basins from the sewer system by 2019, as mandated by the DEP. It will reduce the amount of flow that needs to be treated at the Paris Utility District.

What’s next: Hodgkins will meet with Hutchinson and Prue on Tuesday. Hodgkins hopes to have an extensive project update for the next selectmen meeting scheduled for Oct. 10. 

Selectmen candidates

What happened: Town Clerk Liz Knox announced the candidates for the two selectmen seats. For the six-month seat, they are Bill Miller and Kathy Richardson; for the 18-month seat, Rusty Brackett.

What it means: Residents will fill the seats of Hodgkins, who resigned in July before being appointed town manager, and Chairman Mike Risica, who leaves in October for work in Florida.

What’s next: Residents will vote at the polls Nov. 8. 

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