Paris Board of Selectmen
Paris Town Office
April 10, 2017
No on payroll
What happened: Board Vice Chairman Scott Buffington and Selectman Rusty Brackett voted no for the payroll warrants because of one per diem firefighter consistently working 50 hours per week over the past couple months.
What it means: Buffington brought in a copy of the interdepartmental per diem firefighter policy that says this class of employees can work no more than 36 hours per week. He previously said he would no longer approve the payroll warrants if this one employee continued to work 50 hours a week, unless there was an emergency that required it. Brackett voted no so he could figure out what the situation was. He noted some per diems are working way fewer hours. Town Manager Vic Hodgkins said there are more hours for per diems to work since the policy was set internally and selectmen do not set employees’ hours.
What’s next: While no plan was set to discuss the issue further, Buffington will continue to vote against the payroll warrants if the employee continues to work that much.
School budget
What happened: Selectmen voted unanimously to allow Buffington to reach out to the other seven Boards of Selectmen in School Administrative District 17 to discuss what to do about the rising school budget.
What it means: After a lengthy discussion about the fiscal 2017-18 budget, Buffington made a motion to talk with the other towns to try and enact tax relief for all SAD 17 towns. Hodgkins said he did not have final figures yet, but expects the $100,000 he budgeted for the increase for SAD 17 will not be enough.
What’s next: Buffington will contact other selectmen to see if there is interest in having a further discussion about the school budget.
Nomination
What happened: Hodgkins announced Police Chief Hartley “Skip” Mowatt was nominated as Maine Emergency Management Agency Director of the Year.
What it means: Hodgkins did not know who nominated Mowatt for the “prestigious award.” The town should know in about a week whether or not Mowatt won the award.
What’s next: If Mowatt is given the award, Hodgkins said he will do his best to attend the award ceremony in Augusta later this month.
Liquor license/special entertainment
What happened: Selectmen approved a liquor license and special entertainment renewal for Crazy 8’s, Four Seasons Function Center and Mad Hatter Grill.
What it means: Since the businesses have been in operating for five years, selectmen waived a public hearing on the renewals. Buffington abstained since he owns Crazy 8’s and Four Seasons. Alcohol can be served at these businesses and there can be live entertainment for the next year.
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