Bernard D. Rackliffe Sr., left, receives a legislative sentiment Saturday from state Rep. Tom Skolfield, R-Weld, center, who is also chairman of the Weld Board of Selectmen, and state Sen. Russell Black, R-Wilton. (Livermore Falls Advertiser photo by Pam Harnden)
WELD — Voters defeated a motion Saturday that would have moved the annual town meeting to June.
Board of Selectmen Chairman Tom Skolfield proposed town elections be held the second Tuesday in June to coincide with Maine’s primary elections. The annual town meeting would be held the next night.
“Fewer than three dozen voted yesterday,” Skolfield said. “I find that a little troubling.” Election of town officers was held Friday.
Selectman Richard Doughty received 34 votes and Planning Board member Tom Wheeler 32 out of the 35 ballots cast. Each ran unopposed.
About 40 people attended the town meeting.
“We wouldn’t have to heat the building, shovel steps,” Skolfield said. “Snowbirds could participate.”
State Rep. Tom Skolfield, chairman of the Weld Board of Selectmen, explains why he feels the annual town meeting should be moved to June. His motion failed. Town Clerk Carol Cochran is seated at right. (Livermore Falls Advertiser photo by Pam Harnden)
He said March meetings trace their beginning to an agrarian society, but that has changed.
“Saturday is now the day to do things,” Skolfield said.
Resident Sean Minear said changing the date has been defeated each of the past two years.
“The Weld Historical Society always meets the second Wednesday,” Minear said. “My parents and the Thompsons are the only residents away. My parents want it to stay the same.
“If this comes up again, it deserves serious discussion. Put it on the warrant.”
In financial matters, voters approved adding $3,200 to the budget, bringing it to $613,494, up 1.4 percent from 2018.
Voters added $3,000 to the fire chief’s annual stipend and then approved recommended pay scales for municipal employees.
Under general government, voters approved adding $200 for Community Concepts and appropriating funds from revenue accounts.
Selectman Richard Doughty said the town’s auditor had identified accounts from which funds should be allocated at the town meeting rather than allowing the money to go into surplus.
Community Concepts’ Melissa Green said the organization has a $22 million budget, employs 250 and provides 29 areas of service across five counties. Green said local funds are used to match federal dollars to pay for client transportation.
In another matter, voters approved the purchase of an emergency generator for the fire department that starts automatically when power is lost. Fire Chief Corey Hutchinson said a decision on size or purchase price hadn’t been determined. There is $8,200 in the department’s budget to go toward the purchase and installation.
It takes at least two people to open the electric garage doors at the fire station when the power is out. Fire Chief Corey Hutchinson said twice the cable doors were derailed, making opening them difficult.
Resident Robert Tirrell asked that serious consideration be given to leaving Regional School Unit 9 because half of the town’s budget pays for 24 students’ education. With no article on the warrant, no action could be taken.
pharnden@sunmediagroup.net
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