LIVERMORE — At the town meeting Wednesday night voters defeated a new truck purchase and said no to spending $14,000 to assess potential damages if Wyman and Nelson Pond roads are discontinued.

They approved a $1.41 million budget, enacted two new ordinances and amended two ordinances.

Selectpersons had recommended purchasing a new Volvo wheeler truck for the highway department for up to $189,000. With interest, the total cost would have been $205,725.

Administrative Assistant Amy Byron said upward of $37,000 had been spent on repairs for the 2008 GMC since the warranty expired.

One resident said it was a lot of money and the town is already thousands of dollars in debt.

Budget Committee Chairman Brenda Merrill said she would rather spend money on a new truck than repair an old truck.

Selectperson Megan Dion said, “You can put a lot of money into a used truck and still spend less.”

Road crew member Randy Nutt said the wheeler could complete a whole route without having to reload it with material.

Resident Dwight Hines said there should be more research to give voters options.

Selectperson Wayne Timberlake said the town is dumping money into used trucks.

“We need a bigger truck,” he said.

By a show of hands, the article was defeated.

After much discussion, an article to raise up to $7,000 for two surveys of Nelson Pond Road was defeated.

Selectman Tom Gould said the two roads are dead ends that serve one residence each. They are difficult to maintain and discontinuing them to winter maintenance had been discussed.

“This would find out what it could cost in damages. Does the town want to continue the process?” Gould said.

One resident said the money could be spent on maintaining the roads. 

Kerry Brenner said her family purchased property on Nelson Pond Road in 2002 and has been to three town meetings to prove it’s a town road.

After the Nelson Pond Road article was defeated, a similar one for Wyman Road was defeated.

Before the vote Merrill said, “If you’re not going to do it for one, don’t do it for the other.” 

Voters approved amendments to the building ordinance to remove references to certifications regarding foundations and roofing that new Code Enforcement Officer Travis Tardif lacks. Retiring CEO Richard Marble had those certifications.

An amendment approved to the shoreland zoning ordinance removes the volume restrictions for nonconforming structures and changes it to 800 square feet.

An ordinance restricting marijuana retail establishments/social clubs was enacted as was one for limited commercial zoning. This ordinance covers unzoned areas and both sides of the Route 4 right of way from the Turner town line north to the intersection of Route 108 east.

Under budget considerations, voters approved selectpersons’ recommendations of $350,000 for Capital Road Improvement, which includes $20,000 for a top coat on Tessier Road.

Their recommendation of $102,123 for the Transfer Station, which includes pay raises for Jim and Juanita Bryant, was approved.

The Budget Committee’s lower recommendation of $500 for the Planning Board was approved, as was its recommendation of $22,850 for town cemeteries.

Selectpersons recommended $3,000 more to remove a damaged tree, based on previous tree removals, but some thought the work could be done for less.

Voters also approved raising and appropriating $130,000 over the next three years to cover the costs of a townwide revaluation in 2020.  

pharnden@sunmediagroup.net

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