Oxford Board of Selectmen

Feb. 16, 2017

Oxford Town Hall

Fire Department regionalization

What happened

Interim Town Manager Becky Lippincott told selectmen that a joint meeting to discuss regionalization of certain fire department services in Poland, Oxford and Paris was held. Norway did not respond to the request to meet.

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What it means

Lippincott said that sharing overnight coverage and/or a fire chief with other local fire departments would not benefit the town, according to draft meeting minutes. Lippincott also said Scott Hunter, former fire chief for Oxford and now Paris fire chief, said he was unwilling to relinquish his seat on the Board of Selectmen to take the chief’s position in Oxford, according to meeting minutes.

Police negotiations

What happened

Lippincott told the board that she and Selectmen Scott Owens and Peter Laverdiere are negotiating with the police union. Police Chief Jon Tibbetts is the technical adviser and Matthew Tarasevich is legal counsel in the ongoing negotiations.

What it means

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She noted that public discussion is prohibited during the negotiations. The town has also been notified that the Fire Rescue Department is intending to unionize as well.

Snow issues

What happened

The board commended the Highway Department for its work during the recent snowstorms and noted problem areas, such as the leaking roof at the Public Safety building.

What it means

The leaking roof will be shoveled as a short-term solution while long-term solutions are being investigated. These include installing ice and water shields, new roofing and a mechanical venting system.

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Votes taken

What happened

The board approved a new policy and requests for a permit and a liquor license.

What it means

The board approved a policy on Rules of Procedures for selectmen meetings by a 4-1 vote. Scott Hunter cast the dissenting vote, according to meeting minutes.

The board also unanimously approved a mass-gathering permit for the Norway-Paris Fish and Game’s fourth annual Gun, Sportsman & Craft Show at the Oxford Fairgrounds on the weekend of May 20, and approved a liquor license for Capital Pizza Huts Inc.

ldixon@sunmediagroup.net

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