With the exception of a $2,000.00 donation request by Community Concepts all articles contained in the 2021 Rangeley Town Warrant were passed on June 8, 2021. The School Budget also was approved.
Wes Dugan, a former graduate of Rangeley Lakes Regional School, was voted in for a two year term as a School Board Member and Ethna Thompson was elected to a three year term on the Board of Selectmen. The Selectmen’s vote was very competitive with David “Joe” Haley receiving 106 votes and Ethna Thompson getting 108 votes. For other Committee assignments votes were still being tabulated as this article was being written. Importantly, the Article allowing the Town to enter into an Interlocal Agreement for improved regional broadband passed.
Starting June 9th the Rangeley Town Office is open to the public without an appointment. Town Boards and Committees have retuned to pre-Covid, in person meetings. All meetings will continue to be available via Zoom. Videos of the meetings are posted on the Town’s website for public viewing.
At the June 7, 2021 Board of Selectmen’s meeting, Under the Public to Speak on Non Agenda Items, Dennis Marquis sought approval to seek donations for a tree planting program at Evergreen Cemetery. Maple trees would be planted parallel to Route 4 along the old wrought iron fence line where a row of maples once existed. His request was approved.
The Rangeley Selectmen have authorized the Town Manager to offer a $10,000.00 Sign-on/Retention Bonus to fill the full time vacancy on the Rangeley Police Department. The bonus will be broken into four segments. The first $2,500.00 will be paid at sign-up, the next $2,500.00 will be awarded after successful completion of the probationary period, $2,500.00 will be available after the second year of employment and $2,500.00 more at the end of the fourth year of employment. This offer is available to qualified candidates that are currently full time certified in Maine or eligible to receive a waiver from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.
The vacancy was created when Rangeley Officer Tyler Fournier resigned to take a job with the Oxford County Sheriffs Department. The Town of Rangeley paid for Officer Fournier’s Basic Law Enforcement Training Program in 2019. The Town has received $32,000.00 from the Oxford County Sheriffs Office as required by the Training Program reimbursement rate structure.
Earlier this year when Town Clerk Kayla Alexander resigned Marti Belt, the Finance Assistant, also assumed the duties of Interim Town Clerk. The three front office employees were paid additional stipends for the extra work required as they transitioned from a four person team to a three person team. It has become clear that an additional person is needed to serve people at the front counter and help answer all of the telephone calls.
Town Manager Joe Roach created a new job description for a full time position titled Office Assistant/Customer Service Representative. The Selectmen voted to authorize him to advertise for this position. Upon the filling of this position the additional stipends to the current front office employees will be curtailed.
Three applicants responded to the Requested For Proposals (RFP) for a Human Resource Consultant and one applicant for an Economic Development Consultant. The Selectmen plan to interview the applicants at their next meeting on June 21st. The Selectmen will initiate their next meeting at 5:00pm with a tour of the Chick Hill Wastewater Treatment Facility located adjacent to the airport. The Selectmen will then cover the remaining agenda items when they return to the Town Office at approximately 6:00pm.
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