OXFORD — Selectmen voted unanimously Thursday evening not to buy a wheel loader for the transfer station, saying now is not the time to spend $97,000.

The money was budgeted for this year and the purchase was conditionally approved by the board Aug. 5, but tabled Aug. 19 to assess the equipment in use. They concluded Thursday that the smaller loader in use and a larger one available for loan from the highway department will suffice for now.

The board also rejected bids for painting the transfer station and recycling center, deciding to put the job off until next spring.

They approved having a security camera installed at the Oxford Public Safety Building on Route 26 by Restaurant and Retail Operating Systems of Readfield for $9,435.

Selectmen unanimously approved the business license application for a new cannabis business, Oxford Provisions. The Planning Board had reviewed the request and approved the permit. The business will be located at 7 Oxford Homes Lane.

Selectmen also voted unanimously to leave the tax rate for the next property tax cycle at $15 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Town Manager Adam Garland and Fire Chief Paul Hewey presented a proposal to have Cost Recovery Service handle billing for public safety expenses from accidents. The company bills insurance companies on behalf of municipalities, taking 20% of any collected claims.

Selectman Floyd Thayer questioned how the service affects insurance premiums, saying that after being billed by Cost Recovery Systems for an accident in Poland he had to pay $8,000 in the end.

Vice Chairwoman Sharon Jackson wanted to know if uninsured motorists would be billed.

Hewey said Cost Recovery Service only bills insurance companies.

Selectman Dana Dillingham wanted to know if other neighboring towns besides Poland used the service.

The proposal was tabled pending more information.

In his report, Garland said the Maine Public Employees Retirement System will make adjustments to enrollment for state pension participation. Formerly the pension plan allowed annual open enrollment.

About five years ago the policy changed so employees could only enroll at the date of hire. The new policy calls for employees choosing not to enroll at hire to be able to enroll every five years. Towns must report to Maine Public Employees Retirement System by Nov. 1 if they wish to opt in to the new policy.

Voters need to approve opting in and several have requested Maine Public Employees Retirement System to change the language of the opt-in to read “Nov. 1 or at their next town meeting.”

Garland said Maine Public Employees Retirement System will make a decision on the working Sept. 9.

After Jackson spoke in favor of giving employees the option, selectmen agreed to table further action until their Sept. 16 meeting when Garland can provide an update on the system’s decision.

Garland said he has been working with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on the next phase of the Thompson Lake dam rehabilitation. The west fish screen has been built and the center screen is under construction.

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