At their March 21st meeting the Rangeley Board of Selectmen reviewed the Draft Annual Town Meeting Warrant.  The Town’s attorney suggested word changes to warrant articles so that they were more appropriate to a secret ballot Town Meeting format.  The Selectmen approved the proposed wording changes that had not been updated since the Town transitioned from an open (show of hands) Town Meeting to the secret ballot (voting booth, absentee ballot) Town Meeting.
The Selectmen discussed two new warrant articles that pertain to Town employees.  Article B-22 asks the voters if they want the Town to join the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (Maine PERS) as a Participating Local District.  Maine PERS is a pension plan that could be offered to all full time employees for their retirement.  State law requires a Town vote to participate in this program.  Article B-21 asks the voters if they want to expend $50,000.00 from the American Rescue Plan Act money that the Town received.  The $50,000.00 would be used as a retroactive premium payment to Town employees who worked during the Covid 19 State of Emergency.
The Selectmen approved a request by the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust to locate a way finding kiosk at the Depot Street parking area.  The Selectmen appointed Valerie Zapolsky to the Planning Board for a three year term.
A letter from former Rangeley Police Officer Ronald Wood was read into the record under the correspondence section of the agenda.  In his letter he stated that the time had come for the Franklin County Sheriffs Department to take over the patrol duties currently performed by the Rangeley Police Department.  He also stated the Town would be better served with less tax dollars expended under this arrangement and that next year would be the time for Rangeley taxpayers to have the privilege to vote on this.
At their April 4, 2022 meeting, the Selectmen voted to send out 90 day notices of the Town’s intent to sell three foreclosed properties.  The foreclosed properties are located at 35 Hotel Road, 51 Faunce Road and 188 Carry Road,Site #9.  This real estate became property of the Town of Rangeley on January 7, 2022.
Chris Massi, a resident of Rangeley Plantation and grant writer for Saddleback Maine, was appointed to a three year term on the Rangeley Region Economic Opportunity Committee.
The Selectmen requested that a thank you letter be sent to the Representatives of Frederic R. Randell’s Estate for their $5,000.00 donation that the Town gratefully accepted.
Two Citizens Petitions were received by the Selectmen requesting donations.  The Rangeley Housing Meal Site and WRGY Radio requests were added to the Draft Annual Town Warrant with a unanimous vote.  The twenty-two non-profit donation requests included in this year’s Draft Warrant total $226,511.00.
The Town Manager and Selectmen agreed not to include a warrant article to expend Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues this year.  The Selectmen voted to create a Project Cost Account that would “bank” all TIF revenues received in the upcoming tax year for future use.  This vote allows more time to complete the TIF Policy, gather public input and prioritize projects.
The Selectmen approved paying invoice #3 to M&H Construction in the amount of $338,667.42 for the Overlook Sidewalk Project.
A permit was approved for the Best Dog on Earth Day to be celebrated on April 23rd from 9:30am to 12:30pm.  This Chamber of Commerce sponsored event will be held rain or shine in the Town Park near the Chamber’s office.
Due to the celebration of Patriot’s Day on Monday, April 18th the next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 6:00pm.

“A democracy is healthiest when the public is informed about the activities of leaders of industry and occupants of public office.” -Melvin Melcher

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