FARMINGTON — Selectmen Tuesday evening, June 28, were given 2021 year end reviews for public works and clerk/treasurer.
Public works director Philip Hutchins noted 4,664 feet of paving construction had been completed: 834 feet on Perkins Street, 690 on lower Quebec, 840 on Lincoln Street and 2,300 on Osborn Road.
Contracted construction included a concrete box culvert on Cummings Brook, he said. E.L. Vining did the work at a cost of $746,969 paid for by the Atlantic Salmon Federation [which was part of the Walton’s Mill Dam project], Hutchins stated.
“That was a big project, a big culvert,” he added. “It is holding up well.”
Another construction project contracted with E.L. Vining was the partial portion of phase one of High Street reconstruction, Hutchins said. All drainage, in-road work was done, most of the remainder is sidewalks, he noted.
“They even ran future conduit underground so they don’t have to disturb it again,” Hutchins stated. “They are scheduled to come back and start the High Street construction the third week in July.”
More trees were cut on the UMF campus, were there others cut elsewhere in town, Selectman Scott Landry asked.
“The arborist examined them, said the condition of the trees at UMF was not good, took them down,” Hutchins said. “Central Maine Power is scheduled to replant some trees.”
About 5,000 cubic yards of sand and about 1,500 tons of salt were used over the winter, he said.
Town Manager Christian Waller noted the public works department is fully staffed.
“It is the first time I have seen a full staff,” Hutchins said. “It is great. We have a big schedule ahead of us.”
Maintaining the five-year road plan would be challenged by contractor availability and asphalt prices, Selectman Stephan Bunker noted.
“Material availability is the biggest thing now,” Hutchins said. He wasn’t sure if needed culverts would be available as scheduled for this fall.
Waller said prices were reduced by about 28% by ordering in advance. “[Contractors] were pretty impressed that Farmington was original enough to come up with that.”
“Farmington is first on the list,” Hutchins said. “We may do the earthwork this year. It would give us all season on our end.”
Town Clerk/Treasurer Leanne Dickey said 2021 ended well with a balance of $8,209,837. The balance as of May was $5,223,056, she noted.
“Things will start going up again once taxes start coming in,” Dickey said.
Operating cash inflow/outflow for 2019 through the present were tabulated into charts and shared with the board. They showed cash inflows to be highest in October and November with the least inflow in March. Overall, inflow is much less in the first seven months of the year and higher during the last five. Outflows are more stable, with higher amounts typical in March, June and the last five months of the year. On average July saw the lowest outflow.
Dickey took on some of the treasurer’s duties after LucyAnn Cook left in December. A good system is in place for accounts payable that is working well, she said.
There are about 15 outstanding checks Dickey has been researching, trying to track down or send off to the state for unclaimed property.
Towards the end of 2021 selectmen voted to use Bangor Savings Bank timekeeping and accrual software for payroll processing. “Hopefully by the end of this month we will be going live with that, which will be really good,” Dickey said. “Employees will be able to track their time, no longer be a month behind. They will know exactly how much they have for vacation, sick time, floating holidays.”
There was $351,000 in uncollected taxes at the end of 2021 and 30-day notices will be going out, Dickey said. There is still $119,000 unpaid for 2020 and $23,000 out in 2019 taxes, she noted.
About $21,000 in personal property taxes are still to be paid for the three years, Dickey stated. The town may look into using a collection agency for those, there are some consistent people who don’t pay those, she noted.
“I am very busy every day,” Dickey said. “It is not boring.”
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