David Archer, standing at right, is presented a Legislative Sentiment by Rep. Randall Hall at left and Sen. Russell Black during Chesterville’s Town Meeting Monday, March 22. Archer has devoted over 40 years to the town and recently retired from his position as fire chief. Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser Buy this Photo
CHESTERVILLE — At the Annual Town Meeting Monday, March 22, voters approved all budget articles at the higher amount recommended by selectpersons.
David Archer was presented a Legislative Sentiment from Sen. Russell Black and Rep. Randall Hall for over 40 years of service to the town. Archer has served as a selectperson and was fire chief until his recent retirement.
“Randy and I both know the sacrifices you’ve had to make over the years,” Black said. “Thank you for your years of service.”
Hall described the first piece of equipment his farm purchased from Archer then read the sentiment.
Archer was given a standing ovation.
The $1.1 million budget approved is an increase of $40,766 over the current spending plan. It does not include the town’s share of Franklin County and Regional School Unit 9 budgets.
Under the article on administration, resident Kathy Gregory noted that even with the addition of the new sign in front of the town office a lot of people didn’t know about the elections and town meeting. She proposed adding $1,200 in order to mail information to voters.
“I believe you can’t increase the amount, can only decrease it,” resident Jim Grippe said.
An amount was imbedded in the article so you can’t go over that amount, moderator Paul Mills said.
An article authorizing the selectpersons to sell or dispose of surplus equipment was amended by resident Ann Lambert. It states any revenue received from sales of surplus public works and fire department equipment will be deposited into their respective reserve accounts.
When we spend money for equipment it comes out of those accounts, she said. When we sell them the money should go back into those accounts, she noted.
Lambert also amended the budget article for public works so that any remaining balance would carry forward to the next year.
Unexpended funds currently go into the undesignated fund, Selectperson Chair Tiffany Estabrook said.
Voters approved $250,000 for capital roads projects. The list of potential roads to be worked on in 2021 includes Zions Hill, Egypt Pond, George Thomas, Sandy River, West, Sand Pond, Sanborn Hill and Smith.
“Sandy River and Smith roads, the top coat will be done,” Estabrook said. “They’ll be done for 10 years.”
“We’ve been on Zions Hill, trying to make it passable,” new road foreman Don Knight of Dixfield said. “Your roads are behind other towns. Hopefully we can accomplish all this this year.”
Also supported was authorizing selectpersons to research the feasibility of a town manager.
Finding part-time help is quite challenging, one resident noted.
As a result of putting this on the warrant, Estabrook said she has been approached by several other towns about sharing a town manager. People in town asked selectpersons to look into it, she added.
Lack of access to selectpersons by employees and new selectpersons being voted in every year or so were reasons given for a town manager.
Keeping continuity is a big plus right there, Selectperson Scott Gray said.
“I work with towns smaller than we are that have town managers,” resident Timothy LeSiege said. “We’re not too small.”
Not everyone on the board is in favor, Selectperson Linda Bauer said.
“It’s not going to cost anything to look into it,” resident David Gray said.
The vote was 28 in support and 6 opposed.
An article calling upon elected officials to enact carbon-pricing legislation found 16 in support and 26 opposed.
If enacted, a ‘carbon fee’ is charged to producers of fossil fuels as the fuel enters the economy. The fee is based on how many tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) are emitted when the fuel is burned and would start at $15 per ton CO2. Every legal U.S. resident would get an equal check monthly.
“Each person gets the same amount, no matter how much they make or spend,” resident Cynthia Stancioff said. “Passing this article sends a message.”
“I am not in favor,” Bauer said. “I’m not ensured this money will come back to us. A lot of us are in dire straights because of the pandemic.”
Most people would be better off with this law, resident Paul Stancioff said.
“It’s just like minimum wage,” LeSiege said. “Minimum wage increases, costs increase.”
“Hydrogen is going to be the energy of the future,” Selectperson Guy Iverson said.
“I’m an engineer,” Grippe said. “Hydrogen is manufactured by using fossil fuels. We need to understand this.”
There’s not a chance that solar, wind will be enough, he added.
“This is a tax increase,” Grippe said. “I am not going to vote for a tax increase.”
Voters also said no to implementing a healthy harvest wood program on town-owned properties.
The town owns about 80 to 90 acres, Estabrook said when asked.
“None of this forest is healthy because we haven’t done anything to it,” she said.
“Can’t we put this off for a few years,” resident Carroll Corbin asked. “This year is not the time to do it.”
A survey will be needed, Selectperson Gray said.
“It’s becoming a fire hazard,” Selectperson John Archer said. “Something needs to be done.”
Vote it down, bring it back another year with some numbers so we know what’s needed, one resident said before the vote.
The vote was 13 in favor and 27 opposed.
In results from elections Friday, March 19, 72 votes were cast. Bauer was elected to a three-year term on the board of selectpersons with 62 votes. LeSiege received 16 write-in votes to take a one-year term on the board. Other write-ins for the position were Carroll Corbin with 14, Steven Welch six, Scott Gray and Edward Hastings IV with five each and Patrick McHugh four.
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