KINGFIELD — Two of the town’s public spaces will be getting some improvements.

Contractor Travis Targett presented selectmen Monday with a plan to replace the tattered orange netting around the Little League field on West Kingfield Road. He proposed building a chain-link fence with 33 sections at a cost of $5,570, and suggested a way to pay for most of the costs if the community wants to participate.

Businesses can sponsor a section and post their business signs for $250 and pay a $50 annual renewal fee. Thirty-three spaces would be available, and each sign is 4 by 3 feet. The final cost would be dependent on the complexity of the design, but the $250 investment would secure one of the spaces.

Targett said that snowmobile and ATV clubs, as well as businesses, have expressed an interest. 

“I’ve talked to 10 or so businesses and individuals, and everyone seemed to be interested,” he said.

Other costs potentially could be covered by the Recreation Department account or the Simmons Fund.

Selectmen directed Administrative Assistant Leanna Targett to report on those other sources of funding. She also suggested they consider establishing a separate Little League account for the project.

Travis Targett also recommended erecting a gate at the recently built parking lot at the south end of town. Members of the Village Enhancement Committee organized the project that cleared an area so that individuals could park their vehicles when they hiked, walked, ATVed, snowmobiled and biked on trails near the Carrabassett River. The parking lot also is near a popular sledding hill in the winter.

Targett said truck drivers have tried to fit into the lot to sleep, and some drivers have damaged a culvert and driven through a ditch, whether intentionally or by accident. Several vehicles have driven in areas that could damage or even destroy the town’s septic system that’s part of the waterwater treatment plant.

“You could be looking at thousands and thousands of dollars in damage,” he said.

Selectmen agreed the gate would deter vandals and also agreed to investigate a tamper-proof security system for the field and buildings.

Selectmen approved the Water District’s board of trustees’ recommendation for James McEvoy as a new trustee. He will complete the unexpired term of Dwayne Luce. They also expressed appreciation for the well-run and very successful Kingfield Festival Days last week.

“The girls did a great job for their first year,” Chairman Wade Browne said. “If you didn’t have fun, it was your own fault.”

In other matters, Fire Chief Chuck Twitchell told selectmen he plans to retire at the end of 2017. Assistant Fire Chief Fred Nichols will be his replacement starting in January 2018.

Twitchell also serves as the fire warden, inspector and trainer in first responder classes. Terry Coffin will assume many of Nichols’ responsibilities, and Twitchell said he will ensure the transition will be smooth and professional.

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