POLAND — The Select Board on Tuesday night moved to approve a warrant article to bond up to $850,000 to expand the A.B. Ricker Memorial Library.
Interest on the 10-year bond is estimated at $51,910.
The board also approved an article to authorize spending up to $150,000 from the library’s Stone Trust to pay architectural expenses to determine a more accurate cost of the expansion.
Trustees hope to double the size of the children’s room.
The Select Board also approved an article for the April 2 town meeting authorizing the transfer of $675,000 from the town’s fund balance to be used toward lowering the amount to be raised by taxes.
Trustees of the Alvan Bolster Ricker Memorial Library on Main Street in Poland are requesting town support for expanding the building, which opened in 1963. Ricker Memorial Library photo
Town Manager Matthew Garside said the town does not have the authority to conduct the town meeting by referendum, as it did last year during the state’s declared state of emergency.
Garside said the Maine Municipal Association’s legal office said the town would have to hold its town meeting in person, as the town charter stipulates, because the state of emergency is no longer in effect.
Voters at the April town meeting will also decide if the town can spend up to $200,000 from the town’s allotment from American Rescue Plan Act to upgrade the ventilation system at the town offices.
Bill Bouchard of Integrity Services of Maine, an HVAC contractor in Poland, discussed current methods to prevent or reduce the chance of viruses spreading in the building.
In another matter, Fire Rescue Chief Thomas Printup obtained permission from the board to sell the department’s command SUV, a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe, as is. The vehicle has 85,000 miles and is fully loaded with additional public safety included.
The town is requesting a minimum bid of $16,500. Interested buyers have until noon Feb. 22 to submit a bid.
Bids will be publicly opened at 9 a.m. Feb. 23 and the winning buyer has until March 8 to bring in cash or a certified check.
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