LIVERMORE — Selectpersons agreed Monday to meet with Michael Webber to discuss his contract for mowing the town’s cemeteries.
In March 2020, Webber was the low bidder on the three-year contract. He bid $7,000 per year. Robert Martin of Livermore Falls bid $17,500 for each of the three years and Sunshine Pools of North Jay bid $19,000 for 2020, $20,000 for 2021 and $21,000 for 2022.
Then-Administrative Assistant Amy Byron expressed concern over the range. After verifying the amounts the board went with the low bid.
There is $5,000 in the cemetery budget that can be spent before June 30 when the fiscal year ends, Administrative Assistant Aaron Miller said. $7,500 is budgeted for tree service, signs and stone repair, he noted.
“If there’s $5,000 left, spend it all,” Selectperson Brett Deyling said.
A lot of cemetery complaints come to the town office, Deputy Clerk Jean Tardif said.
“They never raked Gibbs Mill (cemetery) last year outside of the wall,” Tardif said. “There are tons of acorns from last fall around my parents, a few other graves. There was no fall cleanup. It fries my butt.”
More than one marker at Lakeside cemetery has been run over, cemetery committee chairman Tim Cox said. He suggested getting four foot markers to steer people away and redesign the loop.
That area was never meant to be used, according to Selectperson Scott Richmond. He said people are supposed to use the Loop Road.
Blocking the area off would create problems as many people can’t walk, Cox said.
Peter Stokes, who was appointed to the committee May 25, said he was concerned about the future of the cemeteries.
“I’m the new guy on the (cemetery) committee,” Stokes said. “I’m looking at new things.”
Among his concerns were cutting down bushes, removing rubbish, mowing around flowers, if there are by-laws and cemetery roads.
People’s grandparents, great-grandparents and veterans are buried there, he said.
“We’re all going to end up there,” he stated. “There’s a lot of history there. I’m looking out for the cemeteries.”
There are 24 cemeteries the town is responsible for, plus one that can’t be located but is listed in historical records, Cox said.
Deyling asked if the contractor knew about all 24 cemeteries, and Tardif said that information was given out with the contract.
“If it’s in the contract, it needs to be addressed before the next meeting,” Richmond said.
Webber will be contacted to see if he can meet 5 p.m. June 10.
In other business, junkyard permits were renewed for Richard Damon and Rod Newman.
A medical marijuana store license was approved for Seth and Kathy Langlin. The store will be built on an undeveloped lot along Route 4 in the town’s Limited Commercial Zoning district, Miller said.
Brettun’s Wheelers ATV Club was given access to 0.4 miles on Butter Hill. With the access ATVs will be able to get to local stores again.
The annual town report was dedicated to Jeff and Cheryl Marceau for over 20 years of service to the town. They have been active with Spruce Mountain Ski Slope and were instrumental in creating Perley Field for youth ball games and other sports.
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