POLAND — The Board of Selectpersons accepted the resignation of Planning Board member Jesse Childs on Tuesday night and appointed alternate Mark Weinberg as a regular member.
Childs told Administrative Assistant Sarah Merrill on March 13 that he no longer wished to serve on the board.
On another issue, the board discussed the possibility of adopting a senior tax assistance program. Town Manager Matthew Garside presented a list of five other towns in Maine of similar size that have such a program so selectpersons could compare options and qualifications.
Selectperson Janice Kimball favored the program, saying, “We can’t leave behind people who have lived here all their lives” because they aren’t able to pay their taxes.
The discussed was tabled until two new board members are elected April 6.
The board also accepted a recycling program bid from ecomaine, a Portland nonprofit.
Garside announced that Poland is working with state legislative representatives to obtain designation as a Qualified Opportunity Zone to provide tax incentives for investors. It was established by Congress in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Garside said the new tax law allows the governor to nominate 31 towns in Maine.
“In Poland, we have the ability to capitalize on that program,” Garside said. “We have land and (tax increment financing) regulations that are good for businesses.”
He also said the location is good for businesses because Poland is within 30 miles of half the population of the state.
“If Poland was to get this designation, it would be good for the whole region, not just Poland,” Garside said.
The annual town meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 7, at Poland Regional High School. Elections will be held from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, April 6, at the Town Hall.
A candidates forum is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, March 29, at the Town Office.
A copy of the town warrant is available online at polandtownoffice.org.
Editor’s note: This story has been corrected to reflect the accurate locations of the town meeting and the election, and the date of the candidates forum.
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