Greene selectmen accept used ambulance, respond to sand shed dumping

GREENE — Selectmen approved the acquisition of a used ambulance from United Ambulance Services at their Monday meeting.

United Ambulance has a certain time frame for keeping their vehicles, selectman and Greene Fire Chief John Soucy said. “It doesn’t mean they’re a pile of junk or anything like that; it’s just they use them constantly so it needs to be in tip-top shape.”

The ambulance may require up to $4,000 in repairs and an additional $2,000 for lettering and equipment, Soucy said. Some rescue equipment will be left in the vehicle by United Ambulance for the town.

“It’s in my opinion just a no-brainer,” Soucy said. “Rather than spending money on a newer piece of equipment that could be upwards of $180,000,” the town can get this one for free.

The ambulance will be used by the Greene Fire Department to respond to emergencies. However, United Ambulance will still be responsible for transporting people to area hospitals when necessary.

SAND SHED DUMP

Board Chairman Anthony Reny criticized a water heater and electric stove being dumped at the sand shed Monday.

Town officials were unable to identify the person who left the appliances at the shed near noon, they said.

“I think it’s proving that we have to do something,” Reny said. “That’s crossed a line now, that if people are going to be that petty and do things like that, then those individuals are not worth listening to under any circumstances, and that’s my personal opinion, but that’s ridiculous. There’s no need of that. It’s unacceptable.”

Officials implied that the appliances may have been dumped by a resident unhappy with the town’s recently implemented sand shed enforcement measures.

Some residents were critical of the town’s decision to bolster security after the pile was taken twice more than a month ago.

Selectmen additionally discussed the purchase of three solar-powered cameras to monitor the sand shed. Beaulieu agreed to get more information about the cameras.

Officials additionally announced that the town meeting will take place June 18.

Nomination papers will be available at the Town Office beginning March 4. The terms of Donald Bedford and Soucy will expire. A director of School Administrative District 52 will also be elected.

Papers with 25 valid signatures from registered town voters are due at the office by April 15. Those signing the papers are under no obligation to vote for any particular candidate.

TOWN MANAGER RETIRES

Reny reported that Town Manager Darlene Beaulieu is resigning after two years in the job. Her last day will be March 4.

“We thank Darlene for the stuff that she has done, the things that she has accomplished here with this town considering what she stepped into when she got here,” Reny said. “Whether it’s fortunately or unfortunately, people don’t understand out there what it takes to get the job done here, and I think the COVID pandemic has really exacerbated the problem, so to speak.

“We will miss Darlene’s abilities here, we will miss her as a person, and we wish her nothing but the best of luck moving forward. Our town’s loss is another town’s gain,” he added.

After the meeting, Reny and Beaulieu clarified that she would retire.